Creating a Distraction Simulation for Safe Medication Administration

New RNs face many challenges. Inarguably, safe medication administration may be one of the most important. Patients may experience a medication error at the rate of one each day; however, many errors are preventable. Researchers have concluded that medication errors are the result of system errors, including transcription errors, failure to adhere to established policies, inadequate staffing, and poor communication. At this time, little is known about the number of medication errors that nursing students and new RNs make each day or the role distractions play in error rates. Faculty created a medication simulation to help students understand the role visual and auditory environmental distractions may play in potential medication errors.