[Medication-related adverse events: perception of nursing aides]

The process of administering medication is linked to an elevated rate of adverse events and has been the focus of institutional investments. This study aimed at uncovering the perception of nursing aides regarding medication-related adverse events. A qualitative research was carried out with ten nursing aides from a clinical and surgical inpatient unit in a university hospital in Porto Alegre,RS, Brazil. Results show that the factors most commonly involved in medication errors are work overload and incorrect patient/client identification, as well as other associated factors. It was concluded that there is a need for the development of actions that favor cultural change that guarantees patient safety in hospital institutions.