Professional Issues

Medication management is a complex multi-stage and multi-disciplinary process, involving pharmacists, nurses and patients. Medication errors can occur throughout the entire procedure, from prescription to administration and they post threats to patients’ safety (Adhikari, Tocher, Smith, Corcoran, & MacArthur, 2014). The final and most important defence link is nursing staff (Westbrook et al., 2010; Johnson et al., 2011). Medication Incidents remain one of the top categories of Hospital Authority (HA) AIRS (Advanced Incidents Reporting System) Incidents with administration errors being severe in the last four quarters (HA, 2014b). According to HA (2014a), majority of Serious Untoward Events that could have led to death or permanent harm of patients was related to medication errors. In view of that, it is imperative to identify the internal strengths and weakness; external opportunities and threats of the issue; thereby formulate strategies and develop action plans to improve current situation. A total of 12 strategies are formulated (Appendix II) based on SWOT analysis. Firstly, regular hospital visits (O5) which include reviewing the implementation of policies and guidelines issued by MSC and medication safety-related issues; sharing best practices across HA (HA, 2010) along with standardized guidelines on administering various drugs (O3) to reinforce nurses to comply with skills learnt (S1). (S-O1)

Secondly, in-service trainings and training programs for nurses on drug management (O4) can equip them with latest drug knowledge (S1, S2), which is imperative to enhance nurses’ confidence in performing drug administration, patient education and decrease anxieties related to these roles (King, 2004). Also, it is important for nurses to have sufficient knowledge on pharmacology and sufficient clinical practice opportunities to manage patients' medications competently (Slater et al., 2012; Lymn et al., 2008). (S-O2) Thirdly, involving clinical pharmacists