A Study of Nurse Perceptions of Medication Errors

• Main Authors: Hui-Yu Hsu, 許慧玉
• Other Authors: Chung-Hey Chen
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2005
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/41068807920666074156

碩士 === 高雄醫學大學 === 護理學研究所碩士班 === 93 === The purpose of this study was to explore the nurse perceptionsabout medication errors in Southern Taiwan. Structured questionnaireswere translated and utilized to collect data. This cross-sectional study wasconducted with convenience sample of 1529 nurses recruited from a medical center and a regional hospital. A total of 1352 nurses (91.91%)nurses completed the questionnaires. The findings showed that: (1) Possible causes of medication errorsranked top three were two drugs with similar names, illegible handwritingand physician prescribing the wrong dose. (2) They estimated that 64% ofall drugs errors were reported to the nurse manager by the completion of an incident report. (3)They recalled 2 medication errors in average making over the course of their career. (4) There was no agreement in classifying and reporting of medication errors, and reasons for notreporting include fear of manager and peer reactions. (5) The importantrelated factors of nurses perceptions of medication errors included age,clinical ladder, years of RN practice, work settings, and frequency ofmedication errors. The findings of this study can be used in programs designed to promote medication errors recognition, also provide the nursingadministrator pay attention to the nurse perceptions of medication errorsissue. It is recommended: (1) Follow out the computerized physicianorder entry (CPOE) and automated dispensing machines (ADMS) to replace manual work. (2)Facilitate emerging technologies as potential mechanisms for reducing medication errors. (3) Establish a blame-free and anonymous incident reporting systems, to urge reporting and to diminish medication errors.