Unbound MEDLINE

Covert medication administration: the practice of hiding medications in long-term care settings.

Abstract

Covert medication administration is the purposeful hiding of medications from patients, and the topic receives little attention. Awareness and research regarding this practice is limited to a handful of studies outside of the United States. These studies suggest a larger prevalence than reported and identify significant ethical and legal implications for bedside nurses. A review of the literature, discussion of prevalence, contributing factors, and potential consequences of this practice build the foundation for practice recommendations and suggestions for future research. In addition to recommendations for nurses regarding covert medication administration, additional research and exploration of this issue in the United States are proposed.

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  • Aggregator Full Text

    • Authors

    Farrar HM, Stewart C, Sturdevant D

    Institution

    Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK, USA. Helen-farrar@ouhsc.edu

    Source

    Journal of gerontological nursing 38:8 2012 Aug pg 14-20

    MeSH

    Drug Therapy
    Education, Nursing, Continuing
    Ethics
    Guidelines as Topic
    Long-Term Care
    Nursing Homes
    Nursing Staff
    Prevalence
    United States

    Pub Type(s)

    Journal Article

    Language

    eng

    PubMed ID

    22800405