Principles for safe medication administration: • All medications must be administered according to a physician’s orders. • The medication orders must be clear, legible and not open. • The same person should select, prepare, administer and record the administration. • Doses must be prepared for only one patient at a time, immediately before the intended use • Medications should be prepared for immediate administration to a single patient and not retained for later use due to the risks of contamination, potential instability, potential mix-up with other medications and to maintain security of the medication • All medications must be stored in patient care areas in the same container as received from pharmacy. • All RNs and ENs without notation must successfully complete the Medication Assessment Paper prior to administering medications. • …show more content…
If the nurse is interrupted during the distribution of medications, the trolley must be locked and the key taken with the nurse. • If a medication is not given, this is to be noted on the medication chart and also in the clinical progress notes including the reason why it was not given. • Always remain with the patient until such time the medication has been administered. • Always check name, strength of the medication, expiry date on the ampule or bottle. If details are not legible, return to Pharmacy. • Infection control, hand hygiene and workplace health and safety policies must be followed. • Aseptic technique must be followed in preparation and administration of