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Reflecting on medication errors in nursing is a critical aspect of professional development and patient safety. As a student nurse, I understand the gravity of medication administration errors and the potential impact they can have on patients and healthcare professionals alike. Reading about the case of the Tennessee RN RaDonda Vaught who was convicted of negligent homicide due to a medication error resulting in a patient's death was both sobering and thought-provoking. It serves as a stark reminder of the immense responsibility that comes with administering medications and the potential consequences of even a single mistake. In my own experience as a nurse, I can recall a situation where a medication error occurred. It was a near miss rather than a serious error, but it was a wake-up call nonetheless. The error occurred during a busy shift when I was administering medications to multiple patients. In the midst of the hectic environment, I almost administered the wrong dosage of a medication to a patient. Fortunately, I caught the mistake before any harm was done, but the incident left me shaken and deeply aware of the importance of vigilance and double-checking every step of the medication administration process. If the error had not been caught in time, the outcome could have been detrimental to the patient's health and well-being. To prevent such errors in the future, I have since implemented additional safety measures into my practice. These include double-checking medications with another healthcare professional, verifying dosage calculations, and ensuring a distraction-free environment during medication administration. Reading the article on how RaDonda was convicted of negligent homicide was a poignant reminder of the real-life consequences of medication errors. It evoked a sense of empathy for both the patient who suffered due to the error and the nurse who made the mistake. My initial reaction was one of sadness and introspection, prompting me to reflect on my own practice and the importance of remaining diligent and focused when administering medications. It is so easy to get busy and distracted. You have multiple people asking questions and stopping you from what you’re doing and you have to have the ability to multitask and focus without getting off the task at hand and it’s easy when you’re tired, overworked and understaffed, which is about a 99% occurrence in nursing. My heart goes out to all involved. I can empathize with all parties: the family who lost their loved one, the person who lost their life and the nurse who has to live with the fact that her med error caused it all. I truly hope that RaDonda finds peace in this experience. The one thing we all fear the most actually happened to her; Making a mistake that can hurt someone. I think as nurses we all dread that possibility. Luckily at my hospital we are not allowed or able to override so this mistake is a little harder to happen but can still occur given the right situation. Moving forward, I am committed to maintaining a high standard of medication administration practice, staying informed about best practices and guidelines, and continuously seeking
opportunities to improve my skills and knowledge in order to provide safe and effective care to my patients. Double check and then triple check! There's no such thing as a stupid question, and if you're unsure, utilize the resources provided in the hospital to receive proper education on any uncertainties. Being a little late on your med pass is fixable, killing someone is not.