Journal of Developing Drugs
Open Access
ISSN: 2329-6631
+44 1478 350008
ISSN: 2329-6631
+44 1478 350008
Talal Alreshidi
Salford University School of Nursing and Social Care, UK
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Develop Drugs
Background: Medication error is a global issue that can cause serious harm and even death. Nurses who are responsible for administering medication at the patient interface have the potential to contribute to the problem by making medication administration errors or preventing errors before medication is given. Aims: The study was designed to explore nurses� perceptions of medication administration errors in Saudi Arabia. It sought to collect nurses� views about the factors that may influence medication administration errors, barriers of error reporting and strategies to promote safe medication administration. Methods: The methodological design adopted for this study is a non-experimental, descriptive mixed method. Quantitative and qualitative components were applied sequentially in two phases. Questionnaires (N=236), and semi structured interviews (N=19) were used to further explain nurses� perceptions and views on managing medication errors in Saudi Arabia. Results: The systematic review highlighted a lack of in-depth and comprehensive studies of nurse�s perceptions of medication administration errors. This study found that in line with the international literature there are a range of factors that contribute to errors, however in Saudi Arabia the highest perceived factors were high workload and poor handwriting. There is an underreporting of errors and the fear of the consequences remains the most significant barrier against reporting medication errors, but nurses weigh up the risk to the patient before deciding whether to report it or not. Solutions for minimising errors can be found in improving education and technology. Conclusion: The findings in the current study offer a comprehensive understanding of the views and perceptions of nurses regarding medication errors within the Saudi context. This provides valuable local evidence that can be built into appropriate professional education and procedures for managing medication administration errorsfor both Saudi and international nurses employed in Saudi Arabian hospitals and thus improve patient safety.
Email: talal7990@hotmail.com