Final answer:
Reporting medication errors promptly and accurately is essential in healthcare to ensure patient safety. Nurses should report such errors to the appropriate departments within the healthcare facility. Liability for medication errors can occur if a nurse deviates from the standard of care or fails to meet their professional responsibilities.
Step-by-step explanation:
Reporting medication errors quickly and accurately is crucial in healthcare settings to ensure patient safety and improve overall quality of care. By reporting errors promptly, appropriate actions can be taken to prevent harm to patients, identify potential systemic issues, and implement necessary changes to prevent future errors.
The nurse should report medication errors to the appropriate individuals or departments within the healthcare facility, such as a nurse manager or supervisor, pharmacist, or risk management department. It is important to follow the reporting policies and procedures established by the organization.
A nurse can be held liable for medication errors under certain circumstances. If the nurse deviates from the standard of care expected of a reasonably competent nurse in similar circumstances, and this deviation results in harm or injury to the patient, the nurse may be held accountable. Liability can also arise if the nurse fails to properly assess, administer, document, or educate the patient about medications.