Title
Developing a statewide medication technician pilot program in nursing homes
Document Type
Article
Peer Reviewed
1
Publication Date
9-1-2010
Journal/Book/Conference Title
Journal of gerontological nursing
Volume
36
NLM Title Abbreviation
J Gerontol Nurs
DOI
10.3928/00989134-20100330-06;
PubMed ID
20438012
Abstract
In times of fiscal constraints, nursing homes are seeking to maximize use of licensed staff through delegation of low-risk tasks to unlicensed personnel. Between 2004 and 2008, the Arizona State Board of Nursing developed and conducted a pilot program to determine the impact on patient health and safety of licensed nurses delegating medication administration to trained certified nursing assistants. There were no differences in patterns of medication errors before and after the introduction of medication technicians, and structured interviews revealed that participants viewed the role favorably, with reported increased role satisfaction on the part of delegating nurses. Efforts are underway to extend the program statewide.
Keywords
Arizona, Nurses' Aides/education, Nursing Homes/organization & administration, Pharmaceutical Preparations/supply & distribution, Pilot Projects
URL
http://ir.uiowa.edu/nursing_pubs/1161
