Medication administration errors for older people in long-term residential care.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Older people in long-term residential care are at increased risk of medication prescribing and administration errors. The main aim of this study was to measure the incidence of medication administration errors in nursing and residential homes using a barcode medication administration (BCMA) system.

Methods

A prospective study was conducted in 13 care homes (9 residential and 4 nursing). Data on all medication administrations for a cohort of 345 older residents were recorded in real-time using a disguised observation technique. Every attempt by social care and nursing staff to administer medication over a 3-month observation period was analysed using BCMA records to determine the incidence and types of potential medication administration errors (MAEs) and whether e

SUBMITTER: Szczepura A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3254134 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature