Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment Commons^™

Quality Improvement: Education And Implementation Of Proper Narcotic Handling Practices By Nurse Anesthetists, Shelby Stevenson, Anne Hendershott, Alexis Asprah

Graduate Publications and Other Selected Works - Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Medication errors are estimated to occur once in every 150-300 surgeries (Wahr et al., 2017, p. 36). Unsafe injection practices can lead to increased morbidity and mortality, diminish the overall quality of life for patients, and contribute to substantial increases in healthcare costs. A large majority of unsafe injection practices are caused by a lack of education or mistaken beliefs regarding safe injection practices. Educational reinforcement of safe narcotic handling techniques has significant potential to increase the appropriate use of narcotic syringes among nurse anesthesia providers. The long-standing impact of this project could lead to a reduced number of ‘never …