Medication administration evaluation and feedback tool: Longitudinal cohort observational intervention

Abstract

Background Medication administration by nurses is a complex task requiring multiple steps to ensure patient safety. A medication administration evaluation and feedback tool (MAEFT) incorporating self-assessment, direct observation, and feedback has been developed and tested previously for reliability. Aim To describe nurses’ medication administration practice when followed up with self and peer evaluation and feedback using the MAEFT. Methods Four nurse evaluators were trained to use the MAEFT. Twenty-eight nurses participated in the study to be observed administering medications in the clinical setting. The initial observations were conducted over four weeks, with follow-up four months later. The MAEFT contains 22 criteria, against which the nurses were evaluated. For each criterion, an evaluation of whether it was performed (“yes” or “no”) was made. The overall score was calculated as a percentage of the number of criteria performed. Findings There was a high standard of criteria performed, with median overall observer scores of 95% at time 1 and 94% at time 2. Criteria not performed demonstrated 71 potential medication errors at time point 1, with only 33 at time point 2. Discussion There was no difference in nurses’ practice using the MAEFT when followed up, but there was no baseline control to determine the current practice before using the MAEFT. However, there was a reduction in the number of medication errors. Conclusion Nurses’ medication administration practice standards remained high when followed up with self and peer evaluation and feedback using the MAEFT. More criteria were checked during the follow-up evaluation.