Date of this Version
10-11-2023
Document Type
DNP Project
Abstract
Medication reconciliation is the formal process where a provider compares the medications a patient should be using, and is currently using, to the new medications that have been prescribed for the patient and addresses any discrepancies. Medication discrepancies can affect patient outcomes. The medication reconciliation process can address medication errors such as duplication of therapy, omissions, drug-drug interactions (DDI), and the need to continue or discontinue medications. It can also identify errors in medication names, dose, frequency, and route. The medication reconciliation process may not be completed appropriately by clinicians or nurses. Lack of time, patient load, and other responsibilities are some barriers to the medication reconciliation process encountered by nurses. This quality improvement project aimed to determine whether an educational intervention would lead to increase compliance of completing the medication reconciliation process by both RNs and APRNs, and a decrease in medication discrepancies in patients’ medication lists provided at the end of each encounter. A total of 21 participants were recruited into the pilot study, completed the pre- and post-intervention surveys, and watched an educational presentation on medication reconciliation. Six RNs and 7 APRNs were then evaluated in the clinical setting for skills pertaining to their role in the medication reconciliation process. This quality improvement project highlights deficiencies in the medication reconciliation process. It also demonstrates variation in existing knowledge of the medication reconciliation process. Despite the educational presentation, there was no significant improvement with compliance. Further investigation is needed to determine the best platform for educating RNs and APRNs in the medication reconciliation process. Qualitative research is also needed to address barriers to the process despite clinicians having the needed knowledge.
Recommended Citation
Diaz-Paez, Meilin, "Effectiveness of standardized medication reconciliation education on provider’s compliance and medication discrepancies in an ambulatory clinic caring for post-allo HSCT patients. A quality improvement project." (2023). Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing Student Projects. 204.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/cnhs-studentprojects/204