What should a KMA do if they discover a medication error?

Reporting a medication error to a supervisor immediately is crucial in ensuring patient safety and promoting accountability in medication administration. By alerting a supervisor, a KMA ensures that the appropriate measures can be taken to manage the error, assess any potential impact on the patient, and prevent similar occurrences in the future. This action allows for the necessary protocols to be followed and reinforces the importance of teamwork and communication in healthcare settings.

Taking steps to fix a medication error without guidance is risky, as it could exacerbate the situation or lead to further complications for the patient. Ignoring the error is a serious breach of duty and poses significant risks to patient safety. Documenting the error without reporting it also does not address the immediate need to manage the situation and seek help, which can have serious repercussions for both the patient and the caregiver. Therefore, the appropriate course of action is to report the error to a supervisor right away.