What should a nurse do if they make a medication error?

When a nurse makes a medication error, the immediate and correct action is to report the error following established protocols. This response is critical because timely reporting allows for swift interventions that may be necessary to mitigate any potential harm to the patient. Protocols typically include notifying the charge nurse or supervisor and document the incident in the appropriate system, ensuring that all relevant information is captured accurately for ongoing patient safety and quality improvement.

This approach also promotes a culture of safety within the healthcare environment, encouraging transparency and learning from mistakes to prevent future occurrences. Timely reporting helps in assessing whether any corrective actions, such as additional monitoring of the patient or administration of an antidote, are required based on the nature of the error. A focus on immediate reporting rather than waiting or ignoring the situation upholds the nurse's ethical and legal responsibilities to the patient’s safety and well-being.