Pre-briefing Example Dialogue

“We are going to be administering PO medications today, and for most of you it is your first time. First off, how’s everyone feeling about administering medications? It is okay to have some nerves; it shows you care about doing it right. My role is to support you, so if there’s anything on your mind, let’s hear it.”

“I want to talk about how we’ll handle situations where a mistake might be about to happen. My job is to guide you and ensure patient safety. If I see that an error may occur, I will step in promptly. However, I want to do this in a way that feels supportive and constructive to you. How would you prefer I provide this feedback or interrupt in such situations? Would you like a discrete signal or direct intervention?”

“Remember, our primary goal is safety—for you and the patients. While making mistakes is part of learning, we will do everything to avoid that from happening. I’m here to help navigate any situations and handle any errors before they happen”.

“Let’s make sure you’re familiar with where everything is and how to use the electronic records. This knowledge will help reduce stress and minimize errors. And if you’re unsure, please ask before taking action.”

“For today you will be administering only the PO medications for your patient. For today we are just going to focus on the first 5 of the 10 rights. As the clinical instructor I am overall responsible for all aspects of patient safety. As you get more confident with the medication administration process I will add more responsibility to you”

“Any questions or concerns before we begin? Know that I am here for you, not just as an instructor but as a mentor and support system.”

“Alright, let’s move forward with confidence and care. Remember, open communication is key, let me know immediately if things are not going well.  I’m here to support you every step of the way. Let’s focus on providing the best care to our patients and learning as much as we can today.”