Final answer:
Bedside medication verification is commonly accomplished by a series of checks and reviews conducted by the healthcare team to ensure patient safety and accurate medication administration.
Step-by-step explanation:
Bedside medication verification is commonly accomplished by a series of checks and reviews conducted by the healthcare team. These checks ensure patient safety and accurate medication administration. Some common steps involved in bedside medication verification include:
- Nurse reviews items aloud with the team: This includes confirming the name of the procedure, completeness of needle/sponge/instrument counts, correctness of specimen labeling, and identification of any equipment issues.
- Patient verification: The patient's identity, surgical site, and procedure are confirmed by the team. The patient's pulse oximeter is also checked to ensure it is functioning properly.
- Allergy check: The team ensures that all team members are aware of the patient's known allergies.
- Airway evaluation: The patient's airway and risk of aspiration are evaluated to determine appropriate equipment and assistance.
These steps help prevent medication errors, improve patient outcomes, and ensure safe medication administration at the bedside.