Case Study: Medication Error

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Medication Error Case Study
Over the past several years extended work shifts and overtime has increased among nurses in the hospital setting due to the shortage of nurses. Errors significantly increase and patient safety can be compromised when nurses work past a twelve hour shift or more than 40 hours a week. Hazardous conditions are created when the patient acuity is high, combined with nurse shortages, and a rapid rate of admissions and discharges. Many nurses today are not able to take regularly scheduled breaks due to the patient work load. On units where nurses are allowed to self-schedule, sixteen and twenty-four hour shifts are becoming more common, which does not allow for time to recover between shifts. Currently there are no state or federal regulations that restrict nurses from working excessive hours or mandatory overtime to cover vacancies. This practice by nurses is controversial and potentially dangerous to patients (Rogers, Hwang, Scott, Aiken, & Dinges, 2004). Burnout, job dissatisfaction, and stress could be alleviated if the proper staffing levels are in place with regards to patient care. Studies indicate that the higher the nurse-patient ratio, the worse the outcome will be. Nurse Manager’s need to be aware of the adverse reactions that can occur from nurses working overtime and limits should be established (Ford, 2013).
Working Understaffed
Nurses have a responsibility and duty to provide safe and effective care to every patient. In order for the nurse to cover themselves while working understaffed, they must report their concerns to the supervisor. In addition, the nurse should document and complete the appropriate form regarding safety concerns. It is very important to put all concerns in writ...

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...nce the nurse-patient relationship.

References
Bae, S. (2012). Nursing Overtime: Why, How Much, and Under What Working
Conditions? Nursing Economics, 30, 2, 60-71. Retrieved from http://www.nursingeconomics.net/ce/2014/article30026071.pdf
Ballard, K. (2003). Patient Safety: A Shared Responsibility. The Online Journal of
Issues in Nursing, 8, 3. Retrieved from www.nursingworld.org
Ford, S. (2013). Exclusive: Nurses feeling under pressure, understaffed and undervalued. Nursing Times. Retrieved from www.nursingtimes.net
Hughes, R., & Wolfe, Z. (n.d.). Error Reporting and Disclosure. Retrieved from http://www.ahrq.gov Rogers, A., Hwang, W., Scott, L., Aiken, L., & Dinges, D. (2004). The Working
Hours of Hospital Staff Nurses and Patient Safety. Health Affairs, 23,
202-212. Retrieved from http://content.healthaffairs.org/content/23/4/202.full

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