Capstone Project Topic Selection and Approval Essay
Rubric
Project Topic for Focus of Change Proposal
2 points
Setting or Context Where Project Topic Is Observed
4 points
Detailed Description of Project Topic
6 points
Effect of Identified Problem or Issue
6 points
Topic Significance and Implications for Nursing Practice
4 points
Proposed Solution for Identified Project Topic and Implications for Nursing Practice
4 points
Peer-Reviewed Articles
2 points
Thesis, Position, or Purpose
2.8 points
Development, Structure, and Conclusion
2.8 points
Evidence
2.4 points
Mechanics of Writing
2.4 points
Format/Documentation
1.6 points Capstone Project Topic Selection and Approval Essay
Capstone Project Topic Selection and Approval
Medication errors are among sentinel events that necessitate the implementation of evidence-based practice (EBP). According to Laatikainen et al. (2019), medication errors can occur at any stage of the medication management process, from prescribing to handling and administration. Although medication mistakes are prevalent in all in-hospital settings, emergency departments (EDs) are more susceptible to errors due to prevailing contextual factors. Di Simone et al. (2018) contend that a high number of patients needing emergency care increase the risk of medication errors in emergency departments. Equally, time pressure, nursing staff shortages, burnout, and a lack of effective communication and reporting systems can lead to mistakes. As a result, this paper elaborates on the effects of medication errors in emergency departments, contextual issues that exacerbate the situation, topic significance, proposed solutions to the problem, and its implications for nursing practice. Further, the paper focuses on this PICO(T) question: in the emergency department (P), does training and educating nurses on medication management (I), compared to other interventions (C), prevent and reduce medication errors (O)?
Setting/Context Where Project Topic is Observed
Healthcare professionals in the emergency department are susceptible to medication errors due the contextual risk factors. According to Di Simone et al. (2018), the estimated prevalence of medication mistakes in the emergency department is 4% to 14%. Contextual factors that facilitate medication errors in this clinical setting are the presence of many patients who require emergency care, time pressure, burnout, workload, and communication breakdown. Shitu et al. (2020) argue that the most prevalent types of medication errors in emergency departments include wrong timing, unauthorized medications, omissions, and incorrect dosages. These mistakes pose significant care quality and safety challenges.
Effects of Medication Errors
Medication errors are preventable yet their occurrence results in multiple ramifications. According to Wondmieneh et al. (2020), medication mistakes are the eighth leading cause of death higher than car accidents, breast cancer, and AIDS combined. Other consequences of medication errors include increased financial burden to patients, employers, hospitals, healthcare providers, and insurance companies. Further, mistakes in medication management result in prolonged hospitalization, compromised quality of life, and legal implications for healthcare organizations and professionals. Therefore, it is essential to prevent them by implementing various evidence-based practices. Capstone Project Topic Selection and Approval Essay
Topic Significance and its Implications for Nursing Practice
Healthcare professionals are responsible for providing quality care and averting incidences that can harm patients. Medication errors are preventable adverse events whose occurrence results in detrimental consequences on patients, healthcare organizations, and professionals. Mutair et al. (2021) contend that besides leading to mortalities, increased care costs, and prolonged hospitalization, medication mistakes weaken the public’s confidence in healthcare systems. As a result, healthcare professionals are responsible for understanding the root causes of mistakes in clinical settings, targeting triggers, and causal factors, and implementing a contingency plan consisting of evidence-based interventions to prevent errors and their subsequent effects. Capstone Project Topic Selection and Approval Essay
Proposed Solution to the Problem and Implications for Nursing Practice
Training and educating nurses are profound strategies for improving their knowledge and awareness of safer medication management approaches. Bull et al. (2017) argue that effective medication management processes, including administration, rely massively upon nurses’ ability to apply strong drug calculation skills amidst stressors and distractions. In the same breath, Abukhader & Abukhader (2020) contend that nurses play a frontline role in reducing the risk of medication errors by detecting and addressing risk factors. Nurse training and education emerge as ideal strategies for improving their knowledge of the rights of medication administration (correct dosage, timing, route, patient, and documentation) and enhancing their ability to handle, store, and locate high-risk medication. These factors reduce the tendency and likelihood of perpetrating mistakes regardless of the prevailing stressors and distractions.
Besides training and educating nurses on medication management processes, healthcare organizations can implement other interventions for preventing errors. These approaches include double verification of high-risk medications, standardizing medication checklists, and incorporating advanced technologies, such as computerized systems, bar codes, and electronic prescription modalities (Mieiro et al., 2019). Also, healthcare organizations should consider pharmacist-led reconciliation and setting clinical guidelines as strategies for reducing medication errors. These interventions require healthcare professionals to understand contextual issues and incorporate them into quality improvement initiatives. Capstone Project Topic Selection and Approval Essay
Conclusion
Medication errors are among the leading causes of mortalities, prolonged hospitalization, increased care costs, patient dissatisfaction, and multiple legal implications. Healthcare professionals in emergency departments are likely to commit mistakes due to burnout, workloads, the presence of many patients, distractions, and time pressure. However, organizations can reduce and prevent medication errors by training and educating nurses on medication management processes, incorporating advanced technologies into clinical practices, developing clinical guidelines, encouraging pharmacist-led medication reconciliation, and practicing double checks and proper handling, and storage of high-risk medications. Implementing these evidence-based interventions can reduce mortalities, readmissions, care costs, and legal implications of errors. Capstone Project Topic Selection and Approval Essay
References
Abukhader, I., & Abukhader, K. (2020). Effect of medication safety education program on intensive care nurses’ knowledge regarding medication errors. Journal of Biosciences and Medicines, 08(06), 135–147. https://doi.org/10.4236/jbm.2020.86013
Bull, E. R., Mason, C., Junior, F. D., Santos, L. V., Scott, A., Ademokun, D., Simião, Z., Oliver, W. M., Joaquim, F. F., & Cavanagh, S. M. (2017). Developing nurse medication safety training in a health partnership in Mozambique using behavioral science. Globalization and Health, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12992-017-0265-1
Di Simone, E., Giannetta, N., Auddino, F., Cicotto, A., Grilli, D., & Di Muzio, M. (2018). Medication errors in the emergency department: Knowledge, attitude, behavior, and training needs of nurses. Indian Journal of Critical Care Medicine, 22(5), 346–352. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijccm.ijccm_63_18
Laatikainen, O., Sneck, S., & Turpeinen, M. (2020). The risks and outcomes resulting from medication errors reported in the Finnish tertiary care units: Frontiers in Pharmacology, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2019.01571
Mieiro, D. B., Oliveira, É. B. C. de, Fonseca, R. E. P. da, Mininel, V. A., Zem-Mascarenhas, S. H., & Machado, R. C. (2019). Strategies to minimize medication errors in emergency units: An integrative review. Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem, 72(suppl 1), 307–314. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2017-0658
Mutair, A. A., Alhumaid, S., Shamsan, A., Zaidi, A. R. Z., Mohaini, M. A., Al Mutairi, A., Rabaan, A. A., Awad, M., & Al-Omari, A. (2021). The effective strategies to avoid medication errors and improve reporting systems. Medicines, 8(9), 46. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicines8090046
Shitu, Z., Aung, M. M. T., Tuan Kamauzaman, T. H., & Ab Rahman, A. F. (2020). Prevalence and characteristics of medication errors at an emergency department of a teaching hospital in Malaysia. BMC Health Services Research, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-020-4921-4
Wondmieneh, A., Alemu, W., Tadele, N., & Demis, A. (2020). Medication administration errors and contributing factors among nurses: A cross-sectional study in tertiary hospitals, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. BMC Nursing, 19(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-020-0397-0 Capstone Project Topic Selection and Approval Essay
