AIM: To examine the delegation of medication administration, including the frequency of delegation, whether delegation was to a care worker or a registered nurse (RN) and whether care workers were directly supervised when administering medication. METHOD: Administration of 1313 medication doses was observed on two inpatient psychiatric wards for older people. RESULTS: Administration was delegated by the nurse preparing the medication for four out of every five doses, usually to another registered nurse (78% of delegated doses), but also to care workers (22%). Care workers were more likely to administer medications to confused and aggressive patients than were registered nurses. CONCLUSION: Care workers who undertake delegated medication administration should receive regular training to ensure safety. Nurses remain accountable for delegated medication administration.
AIM: To examine the delegation of medication administration, including the frequency of delegation, whether delegation was to a care worker or a registered nurse (RN) and whether care workers were directly supervised when administering medication. METHOD: Administration of 1313 medication doses was observed on two inpatient psychiatric wards for older people. RESULTS: Administration was delegated by the nurse preparing the medication for four out of every five doses, usually to another registered nurse (78% of delegated doses), but also to care workers (22%). Care workers were more likely to administer medications to confused and aggressive patients than were registered nurses. CONCLUSION: Care workers who undertake delegated medication administration should receive regular training to ensure safety. Nurses remain accountable for delegated medication administration.
Authors: Richard N Keers; Mark Hann; Ghadah H Alshehri; Karen Bennett; Joan Miller; Lorraine Prescott; Petra Brown; Darren M Ashcroft Journal: PLoS One Date: 2020-02-06 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Cik Yin Lee; Christine Beanland; Dianne Goeman; Ann Johnson; Juliet Thorn; Susan Koch; Rohan A Elliott Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2015-10-06 Impact factor: 2.655
Authors: Richard N Keers; Madalena Plácido; Karen Bennett; Kristen Clayton; Petra Brown; Darren M Ashcroft Journal: PLoS One Date: 2018-10-26 Impact factor: 3.240