INTRODUCTION

You’re a team of three staff nurses on a gerontological hospital unit. There are two confused male patients with very similar names currently in this unit. The nurses are very concerned about the possibility of medication errors with these two patients.

As the team meets in a unit conference, different medication safety approaches are suggested. The team is aware that their nursing unit needs to update their medication practices. The team is also concerned about medication safety in the home setting when these confused patients return to their caregivers.

What will your team do…what evidence will you find … to prevent medication errors both in this unit and in the home setting?

These confused, elderly gentlemen are depending on your team, your scientific knowledge and your implementation of best practices!