Final answer:
The quality improvement committee should focus on analyzing the entire medication administration system rather than individual components or staff members when addressing an increase in medication errors. A comprehensive and systemic approach is essential for identifying and rectifying the root causes of errors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The quality improvement committee's primary focus when examining an increase in medication errors on a particular unit should be a comprehensive review of the entire medication administration process. This approach is inclusive but not limited to the nurses who administer the medications, the pharmacy that prepares the medications, and the secretaries who enter the orders. Instead, it entails a systems-based look at the causes of errors, which can include examination of policies and procedures, staffing levels, work environment, technological support, and education and training of staff. A root cause analysis can help in identifying underlying issues that contribute to errors, and the committee should aim to improve the system as a whole rather than focusing on the potential faults of individual staff members alone.