title: Medication administration by enrolled nurses: opinions of nurses in an Australian healthcare organization.
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.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. deb.kerr@vu.edu.au
authors.forename: Debra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kerr
authors.forename: Sai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Douglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mill
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: McKinlay
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001315:Australia; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008509:Medication Systems / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009743:Nursing, Practical / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*