Collaborating on medication errors in nursing

Background: Nurse educators are faced with changing roles and expanding responsibilities for medication administration and monitoring in pursuit of improved patient safety. The aims of this study were to develop, implement and evaluate clinical simulation experiences that included, along with nursing faculty members, a pharmacist educator for the teaching of preventable medication errors in undergraduate nursing education. Methods: Four clinical simulation scenarios using high-fidelity patient simulators were developed focusing on select medication problems in nursing practice. Post-simulation evaluation of perceptions and experiences of undergraduate nursing students (n=69) were assessed using a questionnaire of Likert-type items, including: (1) an evaluation of the simulation experience; and (2) self-reported perceived benefits for clinical ability and confidence in recognising, managing and reporting medication errors. Results: Four hospital-based simulations on select preventable medication errors were piloted with 72 undergraduate nursing students. The majority of students (60.8-84.1%) evaluated the experience positively with regards to time pressure, type/severity of events, challenges, and benefits for critical thinking and decision making regarding patient safety and medication errors. Discussion: The use of a pharmacy educator as a medication expert and member of the interprofessional health care teaching team in nursing education can be beneficial for training on medication safety, and on adverse effects, in a nursing programme in order to enhance nursing students' education.