title: The implementation of best practice in medication administration across a health network: a multisite evidence-based audit and feedback project.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Medication errors present a significant risk to patient safety. The "rights" of medication administration represent one approach to potentially reducing this risk.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this project was to implement an evidence-based audit and feedback project to improve compliance with best practice in this area across a health network.
  
  
  METHODS
  A baseline audit was conducted to determine compliance with evidence-based standards by trained observers. The results of this audit were analysed and fed back to staff. An analysis of barriers to compliance was undertaken by key staff within the organization, which was followed by the implementation of targeted strategies to improve compliance. A follow-up audit was conducted and the results compared to the baseline audit.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were improvements in the percentage of compliance across all of the eight criteria audited, with statistically significant improvements found in six of the eight. In general, compliance with the criteria was high in both the baseline and follow-up audits.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This audit and feedback implementation project was successful in increasing compliance and knowledge in this area and providing future direction for sustaining evidence-based practice change. It is now planned to use this approach for rolling out future implementation projects within this health system.
authors.affiliation: The Joanna Briggs Institute.|Faculty of Health Sciences.|The University of Adelaide.
authors.forename: Zachary
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Munn
authors.affiliation: Central Adelaide Local Health Network, SA Health, Australia.
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scarborough
authors.affiliation: Central Adelaide Local Health Network, SA Health, Australia.
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pearce
authors.affiliation: The Joanna Briggs Institute.|Faculty of Health Sciences.|The University of Adelaide.
authors.forename: Alexa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McArthur
authors.affiliation: Central Adelaide Local Health Network, SA Health, Australia.
authors.forename: Sheila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kavanagh
authors.affiliation: Central Adelaide Local Health Network, SA Health, Australia.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Girdler
authors.affiliation: Central Adelaide Local Health Network, SA Health, Australia.
authors.forename: Bernie
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Stefan-Rasmus
authors.affiliation: Central Adelaide Local Health Network, SA Health, Australia.
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Breen
authors.affiliation: Ovid Technologies, Wolters Kluwers Health, Australia.
authors.forename: Shirley
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Farquhar
authors.affiliation: Central Adelaide Local Health Network, SA Health, Australia.
authors.forename: Jessie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Central Adelaide Local Health Network, SA Health, Australia.
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hutchinson
authors.affiliation: The Joanna Briggs Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Australia.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stephenson
authors.affiliation: Central Adelaide Local Health Network, SA Health, Australia.
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: McBeth
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, The University of Adelaide, Australia.
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kitson
mesh_terms: D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005246:Feedback; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D008485:Medical Audit / Q000379:methods; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000517:prevention & control*; D061214:Patient Safety
keywords: audit and feedback; evidence-based medicine; medication administration