Guidelines and Principles of safely administration of medications to infants and children

 Guidelines and Principles of safely administration of medications to infants and children

A: General guidelines

1.      Check the physician's or Pediatrician’s orders

2.      Wash hands prior to touching any medication

3.      Five patient rights

·         Right patient - verify patient's identity by comparing the patient's medical record, provider's orders, and the medical bracelet (hospital) or ask patient to state full name

·         Right medication - compare provider's orders, medication sheet, and medication label

·         Right dose - ensure amount of medication ordered by the provider is measured correctly (i.e., graduated medicine cup, syringe, number of tablets, number of milligrams, etc.)

·         Right time - administer medications at the prescribed time as per provider's orders

·         Right route - administer medication via the route specified in the provider's order (i.e., PO, IM, IV, etc.)

Other five additional rights are:

·         Right assessment

·         Right document

·         Client’s right to education

·         Right evaluation

·         Client right to refuse

4.      Check medical records, allergy bands, and medic-alert tags and ask patient for medication allergies.

B: General Principles

1.      Only administer medication that you have prepared or received from the pharmacy as unit dose

2.      Be familiar with all potential medication effects, both therapeutic and non-therapeutic.  This information can be found in the

ü  Manufacturer's medication insert that accompanies prepackaged medications

ü  Local Standard Operational Procedure     

ü   If available, Physicians’ Desk Reference (Pediatrician) or RN's Drug

3.        Administration route and time will be followed provider’s orders.

4.       If in doubt about medication dose, time, administration route, or if a medication is     missing, check with supervisor, nurse, physician, Pediatrician or pharmacist

ü  MD/PA's order and medication label DO NOT match exactly

ü  Illegible medication label; return to pharmacy or follow local SOP

5.        Check all medications label 3 times to ensure that the correct medication is being prepared for administration

ü  When removing the medication or container from the storage area

ü  When preparing the medication dose

ü  When returning the container to the storage area

6.        Check the expiration date of the medication

7.         Handle only one medication at a time

8.         While administering medication, do not perform other duties (i.e., obtain vital signs, dressing changes)

9.       Prepare the prescribed dose of medication

a.       Tablet or capsules - transfer the prescribed dose of tablets or capsules to the medicine cup or if unit dose- open the package and give directly to the patient

b.      Liquids - pour the prescribed dose of liquid medication into the medicine cup.  Small amounts of liquid medication should be drawn up in a syringe

c.       Powders - pour the correct dose of powdered or granulated medication into the medicine cup

ü  Pour the required amount of water or juice into a paper cup

ü  Reconstitute the medication at the patient's bedside

10.  Patient Identification

ü  Check the tag on the bed or wall and door, and make sure the patient is properly identified

ü  Ask the care giver to state the child name if she/ he is not able to talk, if is able ask him or her to state name

ü  Ask for any allergies to medications

WARNING:

·         NEVER alter medication dosage ordered by physician or pediatrician

·         Never directly touch oral medications.  Some medications can be absorbed through the skin; also the medication will become contaminated.

·         DO NOT administer oral medications to patients with a decreased level of consciousness.  Check with supervisor for instructions.