[Medication errors in hospitalised patients].

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Patient Safety
• Healthcare Management

Context:

• Medication errors are a significant concern in healthcare settings, impacting patient safety and treatment efficacy.
• Understanding the specific types and causes of medication errors in Norwegian hospitals is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose:

• To analyze the types and causes of medication errors reported at St. Olav's Hospital.
• To identify common medication administration and prescription errors in a Norwegian hospital setting.

Summary:

• A review of 610 medication error reports (2002-2006) at St. Olav's Hospital revealed common errors including incorrect dosage (39%), wrong drug administration (17%), subcutaneous infusion of IV drugs (15%), and wrong patient administration (12%).
• Identified causes included non-vigilance due to stress, inadequate or violated routines, and lack of skills or negligence.
• Nurses were the primary reporters of these errors, with 18% of cases involving post-error injury mitigation.

Impact:

• Findings highlight the need for enhanced routines, improved staff education on existing protocols, and increased pharmacological competence to reduce medication errors.
• This study provides valuable data for developing targeted strategies to improve medication safety in Norwegian hospitals and potentially other healthcare systems.