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

The aim of the study was to identify the reasons for medication administration errors, describe the barriers in their reporting and estimate the number of reported medication administration errors.

BACKGROUND

Providing quality and safe healthcare is a key priority for all health systems. Medication administration error belongs to the more common mistakes committed in nursing practice. Prevention of medication administration errors must therefore be an integral part of nursing education.

DESIGN

A descriptive and cross-sectional design was used for this study.

METHODS

Sociological representative research was carried out using the standardized Medication Administration Error Survey. The research study involved 1205 nurses working in hospitals in the Czech Republic. Field surveys were carried out in September and October 2021. Descriptive statistics, Pearson's and Chi-square automatic interaction detection were used to analyze the data. The STROBE guideline was used.

RESULTS

Among the most frequent causes of medication administration errors belong name (4.1 ± 1.4) and packaging similarity between different drugs (3.7 ± 1.4), the substitution of brand drugs by cheaper generics (3.6 ± 1.5), frequent interruptions during the preparation and administration of drugs (3.6 ± 1.5) and illegible medical records (3.5 ± 1.5). Not all medication administration errors are reported by nurses. The reasons for non-reporting of such errors include fear of being blamed for a decline in patient health (3.5 ± 1.5), fear of negative feelings from patients or family towards the nurse or legal liability (3.5 ± 1.6) and repressive responses by hospital management (3.3 ± 1.5). Most nurses (two-thirds) stated that less than 20 % of medication administration errors were reported. Older nurses reported statistically significantly fewer medication administration errors concerning non-intravenous drugs than younger nurses (p < 0.001). At the same time, nurses with more clinical experience (≥ 21 years) give significantly lower estimates of medication administration errors than nurses with less clinical practice (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Patient safety training should take place at all levels of nursing education. The standardized Medication Administration Error survey is useful for clinical practice managers. It allows for the identification of medication administration error causes and offers preventive and corrective measures that can be implemented. Measures to reduce medication administration errors include developing a non-punitive adverse event reporting system, introducing electronic prescriptions of medicines, involving clinical pharmacists in the pharmacotherapy process and providing nurses with regular comprehensive training.

The characteristics and practice proficiency of nurse practitioners who care for older adults

Roughly 54 million Americans are 65 years of age or older. Given the number of comorbid diseases reported in older adults, healthcare tailored to the specific needs of this population is imperative. Nurse practitioners (NPs) are uniquely positioned to provide care to older adults; yet little is known about the geriatric-oriented NP workforce. In this study, four professional organizations distributed a survey link to their members who were queried on their demographic, employment, and practice characteristics; one organization's members responded to a previous survey, providing two time points for comparison. Compared with 2016 respondents, there was minimal growth in diversity, fewer who practice in suburban or rural areas, and restrictions on clinical education related to the ongoing pandemic. The findings from this study should alert policymakers of the need to address the development of an adequate workforce of clinicians who specialize in geriatrics.