Conference Proceedings - School of Nursing & Midwifery - Trinity ...

School of Nursing & Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin: 8 th Annual Interdisciplinary Research Conference
Transforming Healthcare Through Research, Education & Technology: 7 th – 9 th November 2007
Conference Proceedings
observers may have affected the number of errors made by nurses
administering medicines, although the observational methodology is
not thought to affect the underlying error rate (Dean & Barber
2001).
Conclusion
MAE’s are common, though fortunately most are minor. Our
investigation indicates that nurses experience many difficulties in
medication administration to older adults with mental illness.
Regular, standardised training should be provided and this should
include guidance on crushing medicines, the use of HCSS in
administration, and surreptitious administration. Priority must be
given to minimising potential environmental distractions and
ensuring medication administration occurs in a calm, quiet setting
whenever possible. Reporting of all errors and near misses should
be encouraged, and individual blame avoided, in order to facilitate
an open, learning culture.
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