Nurses' perceptions toward factors that cause medication errors in Jordan: A qualitative study.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Practice
• Patient Safety
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Medication errors (MEs) represent a significant challenge in healthcare globally.
• Research on ME causes is predominantly from Western countries, with limited data from developing nations like Jordan.
• Understanding ME factors in Jordan is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore Jordanian nurses' experiences and perspectives on the factors contributing to medication errors.
• To identify individual and systemic causes of MEs from the viewpoint of nurses in Jordan.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative descriptive research design was employed.
• Data were collected through individual, semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with 24 nurses.
• Interviews were conducted across three hospitals in diverse clinical settings within Jordan.

Main Results:

• Two primary themes emerged: individual and systemic factors contributing to MEs.
• Lack of knowledge and experience were identified as the most significant individual factors.
• High workload was reported as the most critical systemic factor influencing MEs.

Conclusions:

• Findings highlight the need for stakeholders and Jordanian healthcare managers to recognize and address identified ME factors.
• Implementing strategies to mitigate individual and systemic causes can enhance patient care quality in Jordanian health organizations.