Reducing Medical Errors

The Need

Nurses and other caregivers deliver large numbers of medications to patients. For each event, the correct medicine must be given to the correct patient, at the correct time, in the correct dosage. The number of medication delivery events and patients that a caregiver must manage makes it harder to ensure that errors to not take place.

The Project

Create a system to better organize and structure the existing system for passing medications. The solution must prevent nurses from finding ways to avoid using it, and not create an overly trusting attitude of nurses instead of double-checking and using common sense. It also must comply with laws and regulations about medicine transfers and record-keeping.

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Current Status

This project is in progress. Group members have had several conversations with caregivers to gather information about the nature of the problem. Group members have also visited a caregiving site to observe how medications are delivered and develop more specific ideas.