For this assessment, you will create a 2-4 page report on an interview you have conducted with a health care professional. You will identify an issue from the interview that could be improved with an interdisciplinary approach, and review best practices and evidence to address the issue.

Introduction:

For this assessment, I interviewed a health care professional who works as a registered nurse (RN) at a hospital. The purpose of the interview was to identify an issue in health care that could be improved with an interdisciplinary approach and review best practices and evidence to address the issue.

Issue Identified:

During the interview, the RN identified the issue of medication errors as a significant concern in health care. Medication errors can occur at any stage of the medication use process, including prescribing, dispensing, administering, and monitoring. They can result in adverse drug events (ADEs), which can range from minor side effects to serious and life-threatening events. The RN shared that medication errors are a multifactorial problem that requires an interdisciplinary approach to address.

Interdisciplinary Approach:

To address the issue of medication errors, an interdisciplinary approach that involves collaboration between different health care professionals can be helpful. The approach can include pharmacists, nurses, physicians, and other health care professionals. The team can work together to identify and address the different factors that contribute to medication errors.

Best Practices and Evidence:

Several best practices and evidence-based interventions can help reduce medication errors. The following are some examples:

1. Standardization of medication administration: Standardization of medication administration can help reduce the risk of errors. It involves the use of protocols and guidelines for medication administration, including the use of standardized medication labels and barcoding.
2. Medication reconciliation: Medication reconciliation is the process of comparing a patient’s current medications to their medication orders. It helps ensure that the patient is receiving the correct medications and doses.
3. Computerized provider order entry (CPOE): CPOE is an electronic system for ordering medications that can reduce errors by eliminating the need for handwritten orders. The system can provide alerts for potential drug interactions and dosing errors.
4. Use of clinical decision support (CDS) tools: CDS tools can provide clinicians with real-time information about medication orders, including dosing and potential drug interactions. The tools can also provide alerts for potential errors.
5. Medication education for patients: Educating patients about their medications can help reduce the risk of errors. The education can include information about the medication’s purpose, dosage, side effects, and potential interactions.

Conclusion:

Medication errors are a significant concern in health care, and an interdisciplinary approach can be helpful in addressing the issue. Best practices and evidence-based interventions, such as standardization of medication administration, medication reconciliation, CPOE, use of CDS tools, and medication education for patients, can help reduce the risk of medication errors. By working together, different health care professionals can help ensure that patients receive the correct medications and doses, reducing the risk of adverse drug events.