Impact of Nursing Shift on Medication Safety

Impact of Nursing Shift on Medication Safety

12-hour shift has become a well-known trend around the world, as many nurses and medical staff have shown acceptance of it (Cardillo, 2010; Keller, 2009). However, these shifts may be comfortable for some; others are still suffering from the stress and fatigue it causes (Ball, Mabel, Murrels & Day, 2015). In addition, it is considered a possible threat to patient safety (Ball, Mabel, Murrels & Day, 2015). This paper outlines an evidence based practice project to help define the effect of long hour shifts and nurses fatigue in relation to patient safety, particularly medication error, and then discuss the formation of the team and finding the evidence, explain how the john-Hopkins model was used to grade and analyze the evidence and lastly articulate a possible action plan based on the formulated recommendation. However, to understand this paper the reader must understand the definition of evidence based practice, critical thinking and reflection, as well as their relation to nursing care. At first, evidence based practice (EBP) is defined as following the best standard possible that ensures more benefit than harm to the patient (Craige & Smyth, 2012). In other word, EBP is using the best research available in consideration to patient preferences in making a practical decision in the clinical settings (Profetto-Mccgrath, 2005). Moreover, EBP is considered as an essential part of nursing as it assures the best quality treatment is being provided for patient satisfaction, it also allow the nurses to use their critical thinking in making the decision regarding patient care (Profetto-Mccgrath, 2005). Secondly, critical thinking is defined as the use of reflection in providing an assertive approach in evaluating a decision or opinion in order to critically appraise the decision (Profetto-Mccgrath, 2005). Its importance is regarded as the base of EBP, as it provides the researcher Running head: MEDICATION ERROR CAUSED BY LONG SHIFT 3 or the practitioner the ability to actually appraise the founded evidence before applying it in actual settings (Profetto-Mccgrath, 2005). In addition, Critical thinking informs the researcher or nurse how to apply the appraised research, and define the skills needed to transfer it into practice (Profetto-Mccgrath, 2005). Lastly, reflection is defined as looking through one’s personal experience for chances of error and to formulate a plan for better reaction to that certain experience in the future (Stonehouse, 2015). Additionally, reflective journals have evidenced to be a good way to relate nurse’s experience for others to learn from, by which new students can improve their practice using the EBP (Profetto-Mccgrath, 2005). The project was chosen after formulating the team based on a common interest of patient’s safety. based on which then the topic of medication immerged, our prior knowledge of the subjects has suggested an increasing number of errors, which many have referred to as a consequence of long hour shifts causing extreme fatigue to nurses. In addition a model of EBP was chosen on the first meeting, to guide the team through the collection and analyzing the evidence. The chosen model is called the John-Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice Model. The JohnHopkins model is an evidence based practice guideline which consists of three components of nursing, which are “practic……..

WRITE THIS ESSAY FOR ME

Tell us about your assignment and we will find the best writer for your paper.

Get Help Now!