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Using a Delphi Method to Identify Human Factors Contributing to Nursing Errors
Cheryl Roth1, Melanie Brewer2, K Lynn Wieck3
1Nurse Practitioner, HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center, Scottsdale, AZ.
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to identify human factors associated with nursing errors.
Design:
Using a Delphi technique, this study used feedback from a panel of nurse experts (n = 25) on an initial qualitative survey questionnaire followed by summarizing the results with feedback and confirmation.
Methods:
Synthesized factors regarding causes of errors were incorporated into a quantitative Likert-type scale, and the original expert panel participants were queried a second time to validate responses.
Findings:
The list identified 24 items as most common causes of nursing errors, including swamping and errors made by others that nurses are expected to recognize and fix. The responses provided a consensus top 10 errors list based on means with heavy workload and fatigue at the top of the list.
Conclusions:
The use of the Delphi survey established consensus and developed a platform upon which future study of nursing errors can evolve as a link to future solutions. This list of human factors in nursing errors should serve to stimulate dialogue among nurses about how to prevent errors and improve outcomes.
Clinical Relevance:
Human and system failures have been the subject of an abundance of research, yet nursing errors continue to occur.
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