NHS-FPX6004 Assessment 4 Training Session for Policy Implementation Nursing Staff and Management of Medication Errors Role of Nursing Staff in Policy Implementation

Nursing staff plays an essential role in the implementation of a medication error management policy because of their proximity to patients and medication processes. A nurse is the last person involved in the administering of drugs. A nurse is responsible for physically administering the right drug to a patient and can, therefore, easily identify and correct any error in the medication process (Ofusu & Jarrett, 2015). In order to ensure that the policy on managing medication errors is implemented efficiently, the nursing staff must focus on maintaining accuracy and regularity in reporting medication errors.

The nursing staff can prevent errors in drug administration by practicing the five rights: right dose, right patient, right time, right drug, and right route. The nursing staff can ensure that there are no medication errors while administering medication. Some ways the nursing staff can contribute positively toward policy implementation include calculating the amount of drugs accurately, reducing distractions while administering medication, informing patients about a drug’s effects, and continuously revising pharmacological knowledge (Chu, 2016).

Importance of Training Nursing Staff on the Policy

Nursing staff is involved in medication processes such as prescription and administration of medication. During drug administration, a nurse is the last person who may be able to rectify errors. While patient safety is a priority for nursing staff, they cause most medication errors because of constant distractions and interruptions in their work routine (Ofusu & Jarrett, 2015). It is crucial to train the nursing staff on the guidelines of the policy, as inexperienced and untrained staff may not be able to anticipate or identify a medication error. The policy on managing medication errors requires that automated dispensing cabinets be set up, and medication error analysis be performed.

For the successful implementation of automated dispensing cabinets, it is crucial that the nursing staff be trained on the safe use of these devices. While automated dispensing cabinets are introduced to reduce errors, their incorrect usage can create problems in dispensing medication (Hamilton-Griffin, 2016). To implement the second strategy, namely medication error analysis, nursing staff must be trained on new procedures that will enable them to accurately and regularly report medication errors. Reinforcing the importance of reporting during training will encourage nurses to adopt the medication error reporting procedures, ensuring the availability of adequate data to perform a medication error analysis.

Training Process

A 2-hour workshop will be conducted to train the nursing staff on using automated dispensing cabinets and medication error analysis. A questionnaire will be circulated to the pilot group a day before the training to assess their understanding of the two strategies. This workshop will be divided into two sessions of an hour each. The first session will be conducted by local opinion leaders, who are individuals recognized as clinical experts in a specific field of medication. The opinion leaders will discuss the technical know-how required to operate automated dispensing cabinets and the steps that must be followed for medication error analysis. This session by local opinion leaders would have an influential impact on the nursing staff because of the presence of a familiar figure whose credentials are known.

The second session will involve simulation-based training. Here, the staff will participate in situations in which they have to operate automated dispensing cabinets and perform a mock medication error analysis. This session will give the staff real-world experience and provide insights into potential complexities they may encounter while using the automated dispensing cabinets or conducting a medication error analysis (Grol et al., 2013).

Training Material for Skill Development

Each participant will be given a handout containing the policy guidelines, a document listing the steps to follow while conducting a medication error analysis, and a user manual for the use of automated dispensing cabinets. In addition, a printed version of the content covered by the opinion leader will also be provided to the staff for future reference. In order to ensure continuous learning, the nursing staff will be given access to a virtual classroom using a log-in ID and password to access lectures and self-learning exercises (Grol et al., 2013). The handouts and the virtual learning material will be designed to help the staff members develop skills such as critical thinking and attention to detail and the confidence required to implement the strategies of the policy.

Interpreting the Policy for N