A nurse is researching data about best practice for reducing medication errors on a surgical unit. Which of the following steps of evidence based practice (EBP) is the nurse taking?

Explanation:

A. "We use an automated dispensing device to track the use of controlled substances."

This is a valid statement. Automated dispensing devices (ADDs) help track the use of controlled substances by requiring users to log in, record transactions, and provide an audit trail of medication access.

B. "You are required to have a second nurse witness disposal of a controlled substance."

Having a second nurse witness disposal of controlled substances is a common practice to ensure accountability and prevent diversion. This statement aligns with safety protocols.

C. “If a client refuses a medication, you can place it in your pocket to administer later."

This statement is incorrect and potentially dangerous. Controlled substances should never be pocketed or carried around for later administration, as this increases the risk of diversion and compromises medication safety.

D. "Activities of the automated dispensing machine will be reviewed periodically."

Reviewing the activities of the automated dispensing machine is an essential part of medication safety and helps detect any discrepancies or irregularities in medication access and administration.

E. "We count the amount of a controlled substance available before removal from a medication drawer."

Counting the amount of controlled substances before removal from a medication drawer is a standard procedure to ensure accurate inventory management and detect any discrepancies or losses promptly.

Explanation:

A. The number of medication errors avoided after the actions were implemented:

This measure assesses the direct impact of the new actions on reducing medication errors. By tracking the number of errors that were avoided after implementing the interventions, the nurse can gauge the effectiveness of the changes in improving medication safety.

B. A comparison of the number of medication errors before and after the actions were implemented:

This measure involves comparing the baseline number of medication errors before implementing the new actions with the number of errors after implementation. It provides a clear comparison to determine if the interventions have led to a reduction in medication errors over time.

C. Results of a study about the time and money required to implement the changes:

While studying the time and financial resources needed to implement changes is important for evaluating feasibility and resource allocation, it does not directly measure the effectiveness of the actions in reducing medication errors.

D. Results of a staff questionnaire that quantifies staff satisfaction with the changes:

Staff satisfaction is an important aspect of change implementation, but it does not serve as a direct measure of the effectiveness of the actions in reducing medication errors. It reflects staff perceptions rather than objective outcomes related to medication safety.