Abstract

MEDICATION SAFETY IN NURSING PRACTICES: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF TRADITIONAL AND BIOLOGIC MEDICATIONS

*Mohammad Abdullah Almanna, Ali Hassan Alhussain, Waseem Ali Alquwayi, Maryam Alsharif, Ahmed Mohammed Almehainy and Saleh Nashat Alotaibi

ABSTRACT

Background: Medication safety is a cornerstone of effective healthcare, with nurses playing a pivotal role in minimizing errors and optimizing patient outcomes. The advent of biologic therapies, alongside traditional medications, has added complexity to medication administration due to differences in their pharmacological profiles, storage, and administration requirements. These challenges necessitate tailored nursing strategies to ensure safety and efficacy. Aim: This paper aims to evaluate and compare the safety challenges and nursing interventions associated with traditional and biologic therapies. It seeks to identify strategies that enhance medication safety and mitigate adverse drug events, contributing to improved patient care. Methods: A systematic review of existing literature was conducted, focusing on peer-reviewed studies, clinical guidelines, and safety reports. Datawere analyzed to compare error rates, adverse drug events, and the Effective ness of nursing interventions between traditional and biologic therapies. Additional insights were drawn from case studies and retrospective analyses. Results: The study revealed distinct safety challenges for traditional and biologic therapies. Traditional medications often involve risks such as poly pharmacy and overdosing, whereas biologics pose unique challenges like infusion reactions, cold chain requirements, and individualized dosing. Proactive nursing interventions, including specialized training and adherence to technology-assisted protocols, significantly reduced error rates and improved patient outcomes in both contexts. Conclusion: Advancing medication safety in nursing requires a dual approach: enhancing education and training for biologic therapies while maintaining vigilance over traditional medications. Integrating technology and updating policies can further support nursing practices, ensuring safer patient care.

Keywords: medication safety, nursing, biologic therapies, traditional medications, adverse drug events, nursing interventions.