Registered nurses' use of psychotropic medications with the aged: knowledge and decision making.
Registered Nurses (RNs) working in aged care facilities play a key role in the decision making relating to the administration of psychotropic medication. This study aims to examine aspects of the role in regard to the administration of psychotropic medications and related decision making. A cross se...
| Publicado en: | Geriaction Vol. 17; no. 3; pp. 5 - 11 |
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| Autores principales: | , , |
| Formato: | research tables/charts Journal Article |
| Publicado: |
Copyright Agency Limited
1999 Sep
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| Acceso en línea: | Ver este registro en EBSCOhost |
| Sumario: | Registered Nurses (RNs) working in aged care facilities play a key role in the decision making relating to the administration of psychotropic medication. This study aims to examine aspects of the role in regard to the administration of psychotropic medications and related decision making. A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted using a questionnaire which was distributed to six private aged care facilities located in two Sydney metropolitan regions which were selected using a random sampling process. All RNs in these facilities were invited to participate and were asked a series of questions about their role, knowledge and education regarding psychotropic medication administration. The main findings indicated that RNs desired more involvement in the decision making process; preferred subjective forms of patient assessment over objective instruments with only two thirds of them regularly using mental testing; and had a knowledge deficit in the areas of indications for use of psychotropic medications, side effects and legal aspects relating to informed consent. These findings suggest that further education is required in the areas where deficits have been identified and that a more collaborative approach to decision making should be encouraged involving all members of the health care team. |
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