Titration of Continuous Infusion Medications in Critical Care Areas

Activity Summary

Caring for critically ill patients often requires nurses to use one or more titrated medications, but understanding and implementing current order requirements can create confusion for the clinician and risk for the patient. The Joint Commission recently clarified its medication management standards including administration and documentation of titrated medications, along with minimum elements of complete medication orders. This document, shared with permission by Temple University Hospital, is an example of a policy and procedure implementing the Joint Commission revised requirements including block charting. The policy and procedure defines the actions and workflows required to minimize the error or patient injury and optimize patient care during the administration of titratable medications in accordance with regulatory guidelines.

Objectives

Describe the application of the updated Joint Commission medication titration requirements.
Discuss the appropriate implementation of 'block charting'.

Continuing Education Disclosure Statement

Successful Completion

Learners must complete the entire activity and the associated evaluation to be awarded contact hours AND read Implicit Bias impacts patient outcomes. No partial credit will be awarded.

Accreditation

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider number CEP 1036, for {contactHours} contact hours.

Disclosures

Any relevant relationship between an ineligible company and an individual with the ability to influence clinical content will be identified by the Nurse Planner within the activity. Any relevant relationship between an ineligible company and an individual with the ability to influence clinical content has been mitigated.

Accreditation refers to recognition of continuing education only and does not imply AACN, ANCC, or CBRN approval or endorsement of any commercial products discussed or displayed in conjunction with this educational activity. Activities with pharmacology hours are to assist the APRN in fulfilling the pharmacotherapeutic education requirements for licensure and certification renewals.

Activities meet the standards for most states that require mandatory continuing education for license and/or certification renewal. AACN recommends consulting with your own state board of nursing or credentialing organization before submitting your certificate of completion.

Refund Policy

Continuing Education Activities are nonrefundable.