Journal Article Summary
The article investigates how a Group Decision-Making Model (GDMM) can enhance adherence to medication safety practices among healthcare professionals preparing and administering medications through short-term enteral access devices. This topic is crucial because medication errors, particularly in enteral administration, can lead to serious patient harm and are a significant cause of preventable adverse events in healthcare settings. The study aims to determine if incorporating a participatory decision-making process can improve compliance with established medication preparation and administration guidelines.
The research involved a quantitative approach and was conducted in a hospital in São Paulo, Brazil, between June 2018 and April 2019. The study included 16 nurses and 40 nursing assistants/technicians who participated in a quality improvement program. The findings revealed that using the GDMM alongside the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle significantly improved compliance rates, particularly in the critical task of crushing pills, which increased from 5.3% to 100%. This suggests that involving the nursing team in decision-making led to better adherence to safety practices in medication administration.
However, the study has limitations, including that the GDMM was only applied in one PDSA cycle, which may affect the generalizability of the results. Additionally, while the study showed improvements, it did not confirm the effectiveness of the Easy Crush® equipment used for pill crushing. Patients and caregivers should discuss these findings with healthcare professionals to understand the importance of safe medication practices and the potential benefits of involving healthcare teams in decision-making processes to enhance medication safety.
Medication Safety Note
This journal article summary is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a licensed healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. Always consult a licensed healthcare professional before using a medical device.
Article Cited
- Pereira Rosana Aparecida, Gimenes Fernanda Raphael Escobar. Applying a Group Decision-Making Model within a Quality Program to Improve Medication Safety. Florence Nightingale Journal of Nursing 2025. DOI: 10.5152/FNJN.2025.23269. PMID: 40366272. PMCID: PMC12046136.
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