2005 Edition Report on Drug Administration Procedure & Practices ...

Existing In-patient Drug Administration Procedure (continued)Drugs stored in the wardsNurse prepares drugs toadminister to patientsDrugs stored in the wardsExisting Problems:• Inadequate storage cupboards or storagespace for drugs.• Drugs may be stored in a disorganisedmanner or at inappropriate locations e.g.refrigerated items are not being refrigeratedand items not required refrigeration are beingrefrigerated.• Domestic refrigerators without any lockingdevice or without an adequate temperaturecontrolling function are used for the storageof drugs.• Other non-pharmaceutical items (e.g. bloodsamples, food) may be stored with the drugsand that will create a contamination hazard.• Unused pre-diluted / reconstitutedmedications may not be discarded and keptfor future use.Nurse prepares drugs to administer topatientsExisting Problems:• Different hospitals have differentpractices regarding the level of nursingpersonnel involved in drug administration.• Non-compliance with the guidelinesregarding drug administration practice.• Some of the medications are not suppliedin the most ready-to-administer form, forexample, injectable drugs. Their dosecalculation & reconstitution are morelikely to generate errors. The workload ofnurses and their lack of familiarity withcertain drugs can also give rise tomedication errors.17