The correct administration of medicines provides the best way to cure an illness (Woodrow, 2002). However, in cases where such procedure is not properly provided, the results can be devastating and may compromise the health of the patient. In the aspect of nursing-home care principles, it is almost always the task of the health care provider to give medicines to the patients in a timely manner and in correct dosages. If in any case these principles are not followed, the health care provider should be held liable for such an event contradicts his total professionalism and credibility as a health care provider.
It is very likely that the condition of the patient will get worse or may even be interpreted as an additional symptom when actually there should be none. As an individual, it is very crucial that each one of us, as family members, should not be too dependent on the nursing care of health professionals. Even though we are charged a professional fee for them to take care of our loved ones, we should still get involved on how to properly provide medications to patients.
We can at least get a step by step copy of instructions from the hospitals or health care institutions. Or, we can consult with the health care provider on how he administers medicines so that we can at least become a passive monitor whether the right dosage is being provided. Even professional doctors may commit medical malpractice in giving wrong dosages of medicines to patients if other factors such as wrong labeling is encountered (Science Daily, 2008), making it very important for us to get in touch with all the aspects of medicine administration.
In a larger scope as a society, there should be an initiative and consultation with the government health agencies in improving the criterion of selecting health professionals. This will at least help in the maintenance of the competence of doctors, caregivers and nurses. A simple city or state ordinance can help in monitoring the reliability of health care professionals in administering medicines to patients.
References
Science Daily. 2008. Doctors May Be Giving Wrong Dosage Of Adrenaline In An Emergency Because Of Labeling. Science Daily LLC. Retrieved April 4, 2008 from http://www. sciencedaily. com/releases/2008/01/080101093858. htm. Woodrow, R. 2002. Essentials of Pharmacology for Health Occupations. Retrieved April 4, 2008 from http://books. google. com. ph/books? id=D4uGBa8AvSsC&pg=PA91&lpg=PA91&dq=right+dosage+medicine&source=web&ots=Q_dFHgi2vI&sig=om14Ao2OMyt6GZeujoVnY2dXG0o&hl=en