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Welcome to ATRANE! We are dedicated to nursing innovation and research!

 
Dr. Pape's 2002 pioneering research uses a visible symbol (vest/sash) to decrease nurses' distractions and interruptions during medication administration.

 
The Medsafe Protocol consists of 5 elements:
1. a quiet zone to retrieve/prepare medications
2. signage on medication room doors and above medication dispensing machines to not interrupt
3. following the proper protocol checklist
4. staff education, and
5. wearing the vest/bib/sash/visible symbol while in the process.

These research ideas have been implemented within the Kaiser hospital systems in California and Hawaii, and many other hospitals across the country and the world.

The Texas Board of Nursing has recommended reducing distractions and interruptions using this process in one of their recent bulletins.

The process does work and does reduce medication errors. Nurses are happier, get their work done faster, and are more satisfied with having time for other activities.

View the Innovation on the AHRQ site.

Additional research studies have demonstrated a direct link to medication errors from distractions and interruptions.

Kaiser Permanente continues to see an decrease in medication errors with vest or sash

A new resource for the visible symbol in the form of a vest/bib that slips easily over the head and tears away if desired. Biodegradable, lightweight, and cool. Information about the Medibib can be found at RISKologic.

 First vest used in 2001 original study by Dr. Pape.

 

Houston Methodist Hospital's Vest used based on my study.

 

 

Changi General  Hospital, Republic of Singapore use of vest based on my study.

 

 

A nurse from a recent Texas Study wearing the sash.

There was a significant decrease in  interruptions with the Medsafe Protocol (p = .029).

 

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Last updated 07/30/2010 Copyright © ATRANE 2001-2010