Reasons for medication administration errors, barriers to reporting them and the number of reported medication administration errors from the perspective of nurses: A cross-sectional survey

Brabcová, Iva; Hajduchová, Hana; Tóthová, Valérie; Chloubová, Ivana; Červený, Martin; Prokešová, Radka; Malý, Josef; Vlček, Jiřı́; Doseděl, Martin; Malá, Kateřina; Tesař, Ondřej; OʼHara, Susan

doi:10.1016/j.nepr.2023.103642

Cited by 10 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…The interview questions were formulated through a comprehensive examination of related scholarly literature and consultation with subject matter experts, taking into consideration the study aims. As the causes of medication administration errors were one of the main elements of the related literature, a question about the causes was formulated (Alzoubi et al, 2023 ; Brabcova et al, 2023 ; Fathallah Mostafa et al, 2023 ; Hammoudi et al, 2018 ; Tsegaye et al, 2020 ). Since the barriers to medication administration errors were another main element of the related literature, a question about the barriers was also formulated (Brabcova et al, 2023 ; Fathallah Mostafa et al, 2023 ; Hammoudi et al, 2018 ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Medication administration errors present a substantial risk to the safety of patients and are a major contributor to adverse events within healthcare environments (Brabcova et al, 2023 ; Jang et al, 2021 ). The National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention (NCC MERP) ( 2016 ) provides a definition of a medication error as any avoidable incident that has the potential to cause or result in improper medication usage or harm to the patient while the medication is under the supervision of a healthcare professional, patient, or consumer.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A literature review expounded the diverse causes of medication administration errors observed by staff nurses. Various factors, including poor communication, heavy workloads, time pressure, deficiencies in medication orders, and lack of knowledge and training, significantly contribute to the incidence of medication administration errors (Alzoubi et al, 2023 ; Brabcova et al, 2023 ; Fathallah Mostafa et al, 2023 ; Hammoudi et al, 2018 ; Tsegaye et al, 2020 ). Staff nurses frequently confront high patient-to-nurse ratios, resulting in expedited medication administration and high susceptibility to errors.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Barriers to reporting have various causes, including a blame culture, fear of potential consequences, absence of robust reporting mechanisms and supportive structures, acceptance of errors as routine occurrences, and limitations imposed by time constraints. The fear of being held responsible for the deterioration of patients’ well-being, as well as the apprehension of encountering negative sentiments from patients or their families and potential legal ramifications, contribute to nurses’ fear (Abou Hashish & El-Bialy, 2013 ; Alzoubi et al, 2023 ; Brabcova et al, 2023 ; Dyab et al, 2018 ; Fathallah Mostafa et al, 2023 ; Hammoudi et al, 2018 ; Mohammad et al, 2016 ; Yung et al, 2016 ). Other barriers that impede reporting include administrative paperwork requirements and a lack of managerial support and encouragement (Dyab et al, 2018 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A lack of reporting systems that are easily accessible and user-friendly, as well as inadequate organizational support for error reporting, also represent significant barriers. Moreover, onerous reporting procedures, the absence of anonymity, and a perceived lack of responsiveness from managerial personnel may deter staff nurses from reporting errors (Abou Hashish & El-Bialy, 2013 ; Brabcova et al, 2023 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Causes of medication administration errors and barriers to reporting as perceived by nurses in Saudi Arabia: A qualitative study

Alotiabi

2024

Belitung Nurs J

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Background: Medication administration errors significantly impact patient safety, potentially leading to severe harm or fatality. Reporting such errors through active systems improves medication administration, thereby enhancing patient safety and the quality of care. However, in the context of Saudi Arabia, little is understood about the causes of medication administration errors and the obstacles hindering their reporting. Objective: This study aimed to explore nurses’ perceptions of the causes of medication administration errors and the barriers to reporting them. Methods: The study employed a qualitative descriptive design, conducting face-to-face semi-structured interviews with 43 nurses from three hospitals in Taif Governorate, Saudi Arabia, between October and November 2023. Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants, and thematic analysis was utilized for data analysis. Results: The following themes emerged regarding the causes of medication administration errors: order deficiencies, high workloads and staff shortages, and malpractice. Regarding the barriers to reporting errors, the emerging themes were fear of punishment and lack of support, lack of knowledge and awareness about reporting, and lack of feedback. Conclusion: This study reveals nurses’ perceptions of the causes of medication administration errors and the barriers to reporting them. Recognizing and addressing these causes and barriers are essential for patient safety and the improvement of the healthcare environment. Efforts should be directed toward implementing interventions that address high workloads, enhance staff education and awareness, and promote a workplace culture conducive to reporting errors without fear of repercussions. Additionally, supportive mechanisms, such as feedback systems and resources for professional development, should be implemented to empower nurses to actively participate in error reporting and contribute to continuous improvement in medication administration practices.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Causes of medication administration errors and barriers to reporting as perceived by nurses in Saudi Arabia: A qualitative study

Alotiabi

2024

Belitung Nurs J

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Assessing numeracy and medication calculations within undergraduate nursing education: A qualitative study

Minty‐Walker,

Wilson,

Rylands

et al. 2024

Nursing Open

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AimTo explore how undergraduate nursing students are assessed on nursing numeracy and medication calculations from the perspective of Australian nurse education leaders.DesignA qualitative study.MethodsSemi‐structured interviews were conducted with 17 nurse education leaders between November 2022 and January 2023. Braun and Clarke's six phases of thematic analysis were used to analyse the data.ResultsFive key themes were identified: (i) high expectations to keep the public safe, (ii) diverse assessment formats, (iii) different ways of managing assessment integrity, (iv) assessment conditions incongruent to the clinical setting and (v) supporting struggling students.ConclusionNurse education leaders set high standards requiring students to achieve 100% in numeracy and medication calculation assessments, thus maintaining the reputation of nursing and patient safety. However, students struggled to meet this expectation. Diverse assessment formats were implemented, with some examination conditions contrary to clinical practice. Currently, there is no benchmark or independent point of registration examination in Australia, hence the problem is each university had a different standard to judge students' competence. Gaining insight into how these assessments are conducted provides an opportunity to work towards an evidence‐based model or benchmark for the assessment of numeracy.Implications for the ProfessionDosage errors in clinical practice threaten patient safety and the reputation of the nursing profession. The accuracy rate of calculations by undergraduate and registered nurses is deficient worldwide. This research highlights a major educational issue, that being the wide variation in how numeracy assessments are conducted with no clear pedagogical rationale for a standardised method. Such assessments would establish a national standard, contributing to quality assurance, the development of the nursing profession and improve patient safety.

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Medication errors in older patients: a pharmacovigilance perspective

Laroche,

Guillaumin,

Grau

et al. 2024

Drugs Ther Perspect

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Reasons for medication administration errors, barriers to reporting them and the number of reported medication administration errors from the perspective of nurses: A cross-sectional survey

Cited by 10 publications

References 17 publications

Causes of medication administration errors and barriers to reporting as perceived by nurses in Saudi Arabia: A qualitative study

Causes of medication administration errors and barriers to reporting as perceived by nurses in Saudi Arabia: A qualitative study

Assessing numeracy and medication calculations within undergraduate nursing education: A qualitative study

Medication errors in older patients: a pharmacovigilance perspective

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