Medication Management

This document provides direction for nurses¹ in relation to the professional expectations for safe, competent, compassionate, and ethical medication management in all practice settings, and in all employment and volunteer relationships (e.g., employed or self-employed; camp nurse). The principles and associated sub-principles outlined in this document reflect the expectations for nursing practice related to medication management to decrease risk to the public and promote public protection.

As self-regulated professionals, nurses are responsible and accountable to practice within their individual scopes of practice² and to follow the standards of practice as set out by their respective regulatory bodies. Nurses are responsible to know what they are educated, authorized and competent to perform.

This document should be used in conjunction with associated federal and provincial Acts and Regulations, relevant Newfoundland and Labrador College of documents/resources, agency/employer policies, and evidence-informed³ practices.

Introduction

The Canadian Patient Safety Institute defines medication management as client-centred care optimizing safe, effective and appropriate drug therapy provided in collaboration with clients and their health care teams.

Medication management is more than performing the technical task of administering medication. It is an iterative process that requires the utilization of nursing knowledge, skill and judgment to ensure safe medication use.

To reduce errors and/or adverse events related to medication management, nurses reflect on their individual scopes of practice, and their standards of practice in all activities related to medication management.

To provide the safest and most appropriate care in medication management practices, as reflective practitioners, nurses consider principles related to the following:

1. Education;
2. Authorization;
3. Competence;
4. Collaboration; and,
5. Client-centred care.

See Appendix A for a reflective algorithm.

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