Date of Doctor of Nursing Practice Project Completion
2025
Abstract
Purpose: This quality improvement project aimed to enhance medication security in the cardiac care unit by implementing a standardized storage protocol to reduce unsecured medications by 20% by December 6, 2024, following a 93-day implementation period. Additionally, the project sought to achieve 100% staff competency in the protocol by September 30, 2024.
Background: Unsecured medications pose significant patient safety risks, including unauthorized access, incorrect administration, and treatment delays. This project aligned with the Patient-Centered Caritas Model and addressed compliance deficiencies identified by the Joint Commission and the hospital’s quality control team.
Methodology: A Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) framework guided the project, integrating best practices in medication security, accountability, and interprofessional collaboration. Interventions included staff education, standardized workflows, labeling workstation on wheel (WOW) drawers with patient room numbers, intercom announcements for medication deliveries, and staff meetings for feedback and progress evaluation. A Fishbone Diagram identified key storage issues, while stakeholder engagement ensured leadership buy-in and frontline staff adherence. Data collection involved pre- and post-intervention audits tracking unsecured medications and staff compliance.
Results: The intervention led to an 18.2% reduction in unsecured medications, nearing the 20% goal, and 100% staff competency in the new protocol. Leadership engagement and daily monitoring improved adherence, though challenges such as WOW malfunctions, inconsistent staff compliance, and workload constraints were noted.
Implications: Sustaining improvements requires ongoing leadership support, compliance reinforcement, and infrastructure enhancements. Future efforts should continue PDSA cycles, integrate staff feedback, and refine workflows to ensure long-term success and potential expansion to other hospital units.
Keywords
medication storage, safety, quality improvement, plan-do-study-act
Recommended Citation
Nguyen, Baothu, "Enhancing Medication Storage Protocols for Safety Optimization in Cardiac Care Unit Inpatients" (2025). Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract. 77.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/dnp_abstract/77