Biomedical subjects

Gerry Armitage

Publications and source records attributed to Gerry Armitage.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Drug errors, qualitative research and some reflections on ethics.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Observational methods as part of a qualitative approach have been specifically employed in the study of drug error and have undeniable strengths. This position paper will examine some recent research raising a number of ethical, and tangentially, methodological issues concerning the qualitative study of drug errors within United Kingdom National Health Service hospitals. Reflections on the views and ethical conduct of other qualitative researchers are provided to contextualize the discussion. BACKGROUND: The impact of a drug error, and any resultant adverse event can be significant. The human and financial costs are considerable. Establishing an accurate estimation of the frequency of adverse event and reporting rates has been difficult; additionally, methodological weaknesses in medical error research have sometimes caused further difficulties. Unsurprisingly, observational studies and for that matter, a whole range of other methods are now being considered in the quest to establish both understanding and predictability in relation to medical error. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: It is argued here that any participants in medical error research should be treated in a way that takes account of the prevailing culture of health care and, in the United Kingdom, the current ethos of government policy on medical error. This requires gaining informed consent, promoting transparency in method, and providing the opportunity for participants to learn. Effective error researchers can clearly increase the available knowledge in this critical area but ethical considerations and their chosen methods should show an appropriate level of respect for their participants. Carefully implemented qualitative approaches can help realize such respect.

Ethics, Nursing↗

PubMed2003

Adverse events in drug administration: a literature review.

Discussions between the children's services manager at an National Health Service trust, and a children's nursing lecturer from the trust's partnering university clarified that there was a need to establish a greater understanding of the local circumstances surrounding adverse events in drug administration - particularly when those events involved nurses. Indeed it is claimed that nurses spend up to 40% of their time administering drugs. It was agreed that a collaborative research study, specifically designed to explore the nature of drug administration errors, could inform future trust policies and procedures around both drug administration and error, as well as the various university curricula concerning drug administration. This study, supported by senior management in the trust, and the chair of the local research ethics committee, has commenced. The first part of this study -- an introductory literature review, is presented here. The work of O'Shea [J Clin Nurs (1999)8:496-504] is significant in structuring the review that bears a number of recurring themes. It is not the intention of this literature review to reappraise O'Shea's original critique but to expand on her work, offer a contemporaneous perspective in the light of studies and reports published since 1999, and reset the topic in the context of clinical governance. This literature review has already provided an underpinning framework for a pilot questionnaire to staff who have been involved in drug administration errors and is also the basis for curricular input to preregistration students on the subject of risk management and drug administration. In conclusion, several recommendations about the shape of future research are offered.

Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems↗

PubMed2002

The child's right to consent to x-ray and imaging investigations: issues of restraint and immobilization from a multidisciplinary perspective.

Children's rights in healthcare are determined by law but strongly influenced by Piagetian theory and the related personal attitudes of healthcare professionals. While a greater priority has been given to children's rights through the United Nations Convention and in the United Kingdom by means of particular legislation, this does not necessarily translate into child-centred practice. The restraint and immobilization of children are significant issues for health professionals who care for children. This paper argues that professional guidance and healthcare law are ambiguous in this regard, failing to offer direct, objective guidance to the personnel involved. A further degree of complexity is added, if when considering the child's wishes, they differ from those of their parents. It is recommended that an effective resolution of these issues and their consequences demands that healthcare professionals familiarize themselves with the legal and ethical implications of restraining or immobilizing children, and develop a systematic approach to this aspect of practice.

Adolescent↗