Medication errors: more basic than a system issue.
The Institute of Medicine's 2000 report drew attention to both U.S. health care agencies and the medication errors that occur within them. However, this attention focused on a more basic and fundamental issue within the medication error concern: nurses' mathematical skills and competence. This article describes a nationwide study assessing processes to validate mathematical skills for medication administration. Practices within educational and acute care institutions are explored, and recommendations for future action are noted with a call for 100% accuracy on all mathematical examinations for medication administration.
University of Connecticut School of Nursing, Storrs, Connecticut 06066, USA. carolpolifroni@aol.com
E Carol
EC
Polifroni
John
J
McNulty
Lynn
L
Allchin
D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D004506:Education, Nursing / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008433:Mathematics; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000517:prevention & control; D008510:Medication Systems, Hospital / Q000592:standards*; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000592:standards; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D014481:United States