I agree completely with the fact that nurses are the last line of defense but you have to also realize the reality if working in a clinical setting. It is not always feasible to expect a nurse to go check the order against the medication she has in her hand when she has already checked it against the medication administration record. Also when pharmacy mixes a medication there is no way for the nurse on the floor to double check their concentrations except trust that what the label says is correct. Nurses are too many times spread too thin among patients and just don't have the time to continually recheck things beyond the 3 checks and the 5 rights they are taught in school.
Angela Barnes | 10.20.08 - 8:49 am | #