Three-month follow-up effects of a medication management program on nurses' knowledge

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Pharmacology
• Healthcare Quality

Background:

• Medication management is a critical nursing responsibility.
• Effective medication management programs are essential for patient safety.
• Assessing knowledge retention after training is vital.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the long-term impact of a medication management program on nurses' knowledge.
• To identify specific areas of knowledge retention and decline three months post-program.
• To inform future medication management training strategies.

Main Methods:

• A quasi-experimental design was employed.
• Fifty-seven nurses participated in the study.
• Knowledge was assessed using a multiple-choice test immediately after and three months following the program, analyzed with McNemar's test and generalized estimating equations.

Main Results:

• Overall knowledge remained largely consistent, but significant changes were observed in specific areas.
• A notable decrease in correct responses occurred for documenting no medication administration, opioid administration, and post-opioid observation.
• An increase in correct answers was found regarding medication pharmacology when administered with food.

Conclusions:

• Continuous medication management training is recommended for nurses.
• Bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and clinical practice is crucial for sustained competency.
• Targeted reinforcement of specific medication administration and documentation protocols may be necessary.