MEDICATION SAFETY
Medication safety is everyone's business.
Key concepts that nurses must always be mindful of during preparation, checking, administration and evaluation of medications are:
The 6 rights (minimum number of rights)
The concept of independent checking
Additional precautions for APINCH (or PINCHA) drugs
Procedures around s4/s8 medications
NPS Medicinewise resources
This website is invaluable with many resources for health professionals, such as:
NIMC Medication Chart: NPS MedicineWise: National standard medication charts course
Medication Safety Online Module: Course: Medication safety (version 3) 2021
CKN This link will take you to the CKN internet page. The first time you use it, you will need to register using your Qld Health email, setting yourself a username and password. You will then be able to access the Australian Injectable Drugs Handbook, Online MIMs (including OK to crush), ejournals and databases and anything else you can normally access through your QHEPS link while at work, from home. Clinical Knowledge Network (ckn.org.au)
High Alert Medicines
High alert medicines are those that have an increased risk of causing significant patient harm or death if they are misused or used in error. Metro North uses the APINCH acronym to identify these high alert medicines. There are a few other medicines such as paralysing agents and inotopes, that are also high alert however these are not used in the general acute ward areas.
All APINCH meds must have 2 fully independent checks from the time of preparation through to the time of administration at the bedside. Please familiarise yourself with the relevant policies/procedures below, and refresh your 6 Rights knowledge.
High Alert Medicines Policy and Procedure
