Date of Graduation
Summer 8-9-2019
Document Access
Restricted Project/Capstone - USF access only
Degree Name
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
College/School
School of Nursing and Health Professions
First Advisor
Jeremy Vergara
Abstract
High variability in documentation of intravenous (IV) medication titrations was found to be a contributor to medication errors in a Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit (NSICU). Baseline data was obtained from nursing staff through an informational survey to measure nurse perception of the process and problem. Data was also collected from pharmacy staff regarding the number of medication errors related to IV drip medications during the previous twelve-month period. Through collaboration amongst the ICU Educator/Clinical Nurse Specialist, Clinical Nurse Leader student, NSICU unit-based council and ICU education committee, a standardized process for documenting titrations will be developed. These standards will be adopted into the ICU Standards of Care and rolled out in the annual ICU skills and competency day. Using the Diffusion of Innovation Theory as a guide, this evidence-based process improvement project has the goal to reduce titratable IV medication errors by 50%. To measure success, repeat informational survey results and pharmacy-run medication error reports will be compared to baseline data. In addition, chart audits will be conducted to measure staff compliance with the new documentation standard.
Recommended Citation
Savage, Brenna, "Prospectus for Reducing Medication Errors by Standardizing Documentation in a Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit" (2019). Master's Projects and Capstones. 928.
https://repository.usfca.edu/capstone/928
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