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African Health Sciences
Makerere University Medical School
ISSN: 1680-6905 EISSN: 1680-6905
Vol. 15, No. 2, 2015, pp. 647-655
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Bioline Code: hs15090
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge
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African Health Sciences, Vol. 15, No. 2, 2015, pp. 647-655
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Educational audit on drug dose calculation learning in a Tanzanian school of nursing
Savage, Angela Ruth
Abstract
Background: Patient safety is a key concern for nurses; ability to calculate drug doses correctly is an essential skill to prevent
and reduce medication errors. Literature suggests that nurses’ drug calculation skills should be monitored.
Objective: The aim of the study was to conduct an educational audit on drug dose calculation learning in a Tanzanian
school of nursing. Specific objectives were to assess learning from targeted teaching, to identify problem areas in performance
and to identify ways in which these problem areas might be addressed.
Methods: A total of 268 registered nurses and nursing students in two year groups of a nursing degree programme were
the subjects for the audit; they were given a pretest, then four hours of teaching, a post-test after two weeks and a second
post-test after eight weeks.
Results: There was a statistically significant improvement in correct answers in the first post-test, but none between the first
and second post-tests. Particular problems with drug calculations were identified by the nurses / students, and the teacher;
these identified problems were not congruent.
Conclusion: Further studies in different settings using different methods of teaching, planned continuing education for all qualified nurses, and appropriate pass marks for students in critical skills are recommended.
Keywords
Drug calculation; nurse; student nurse; mathematics; audit
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