Question

After a vaccine was given, the nurse realized that the dosage administered was less than it should be, but did not report the error. There was no physical injury to the patient, but the patient may not have received the protection afforded by the vaccine.

How does the nurse's omission affect the organization's quality improvement process?
A.) It prevents the identification of system problems.
B.) It has minimal effect because no injury occurred.
C.) It reduces the liability because no report was filed.
D.) It allows errors to be discovered on retrospective audit.

Answer 1

A nurse's failure to report an incorrectly administered vaccine dose impedes the identification of systemic problems in an organization's quality improvement process, potentially leading to repeated mistakes and undermining patient safety.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse's omission affects the organization's quality improvement process by preventing the identification of system problems (A). When a dosage error occurs and goes unreported, it inhibits the organization's ability to track, analyze, and rectify systemic issues. This lapse can lead to repeated mistakes and potentially harmful outcomes in the future because the underlying cause is not addressed. Moreover, accurate reporting is crucial for maintaining vaccine efficacy and patient safety. In this scenario, the absence of physical injury to the patient does not diminish the importance of documenting the error, as the primary goal includes ensuring all patients receive the full protection intended by their vaccinations.