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Learning Objective 1: The learner will be able to observe how a framework is utilized for implementing evidence based practice.
Learning Objective 2: The learner will be able to acknowledge the need for accurate medication reconciliations to reduce medication errors.
An issue that is causing medication errors within healthcare facilities is medication reconciliation. Medication reconciliation can be defined as the process of obtaining an accurate list of patient’s current medications and then comparing that list to the physician’s orders upon admission and discharge (Chan et al., 2009). It is estimated that approximately 100,000 deaths occur yearly in the United States from medication errors (Balon & Thomas, 2011). Patients that are admitted to hospitals have more than a 50% chance of having at least one prescribing error during the process of medication reconciliation (Moore et al., 2011). The Joint Commission has enlisted medication reconciliation as a national patient safety goal and requires accredited facilities to obtain accurate medication reconciliations on admission, transitions through levels of care, and at discharge (Balon & Thomas, 2011). This implementation of evidence based practice will attempt to improve medication reconciliations through the use of clinical reminders, therefore improving patient outcomes. Clinical reminders can be an email, paper note placed on a chart, or can actually be systems themselves. Clinical reminders are even requested by health care professionals to improve continuity of care and patient outcomes (Christensen & Grimsmo, 2008).
See more of: Oral Paper & Poster: Evidence-Based Practice Sessions