Medication Administration by Enrolled Nurses: Opinions of Nurses in an Australian Healthcare Organization

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Kerr, Debra, Lu, Sai, Mill, Douglas and McKinlay, Louise (2012) Medication Administration by Enrolled Nurses: Opinions of Nurses in an Australian Healthcare Organization. Nursing Forum, 47 (4). pp. 203-209. ISSN 1744-6198

Abstract

OBJECTIVE. This study examined the opinions of nurses about the introduction of enrolled nurse medication administration and analyzed its impact on the medication error rate. METHODS. Data were collected using a survey and examination of incident reports regarding nursing medication errors. Nurses (registered nurse, enrolled nurse with medication endorsement, enrolled nurse) responded to survey items regarding the introduction of enrolled nurse medication administration. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, Fischer’s exact test, and chi-square analysis where appropriate. RESULTS. The majority of nurses (75.2%) supported enrolled nurse medication administration. However, differences in opinion were observed between registered nurse (RN) and enrolled nurse with medication endorsement (ENME) regarding clear understanding of responsibility and accountability (RN: 47.2% vs. ENME: 77.8%; p = .033), and whether suitable education was provided (RN: 34.7% vs. ENME: 73.7%; p = .012). Moreover, less than one-third of RNs agreed that the assessment process for EN medication endorsement clearly identified the competence of the ENME to administer medications. Nonetheless, nursing medication errors did not increase in the 12-month period after the introduction of enrolled nurse medication administration (pre: 314, post: 302). CONCLUSIONS. The findings of this study suggest areas that should be addressed in the future, including assessment of competence and focused education about accountability and responsibility.

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Item type Article
URI https://vuir.vu.edu.au/id/eprint/21590
DOI 10.1111/j.1744-6198.2012.00281.x
Official URL http://0-onlinelibrary.wiley.com.library.vu.edu.au...
Subjects Historical > FOR Classification > 1110 Nursing
Historical > Faculty/School/Research Centre/Department > School of Nursing and Midwifery
Keywords ResPubID25660, enrolled nurse, medication administration, medication endorsement, medication error, registered nurse
Citations in Scopus 4 - View on Scopus
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