Reducing Medication Errors in Nursing Homes by Improving Nurses’ Competence in Medicines Management Through Educational Intervention: A Quality Improvement Project

Abstract

Aims and Objectives: This project aims to improve nurses' medicine management competence in elderly care homes to reduce medication errors. The Medication Administration Competence Programme provides frequent instructional courses on medication management and safe drug administration for elderly patients. After one year, the education sessions will be evaluated.

Intervention: The quality of care and the safety of patients are heavily linked to nurses' competence in medicine management and drug delivery. Medication administration by nursing home staff nurses requires special caution. To improve nurses' medication administration competence and reduce medication errors, the goal of this quality improvement project is to implement the Medication Administration Competence Programme, which combines on-the-job training with regular educational sessions on medicines management and safe medication administration to elderly patients.

Measurement Design Strategy: PDSA cycles will be used to evaluate educational interventions. The data collection process will utilize PROFFNurse SAS II. The self-assessment questionnaire includes medication administration competency and training requirements for nurses. On both scales, 1 is extremely low, and 10 is extremely high. Cronbach's alpha will be calculated for the aggregate questionnaire score. There will be cross-sectional surveys. This project includes 40 registered nurses and 60 licensed practical nurses from the Kustaankartano Senior Center. A student test and variance analysis will be conducted independently.

Conclusion: This quality improvement project will demonstrate how educational intervention improves nurses' medicine management competence and reduces medication errors, which will benefit patients, the practice setting, and the community. Using a quality improvement paradigm, nursing facilities can implement educational intervention programs for a significant number of nurses aimed at reducing medication errors.