Medication administration errors made among undergraduate nursing students: A need for change in teaching methods

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Patient Safety
• Medication Administration

Background:

• Systems factors, like interruptions, are known contributors to nursing errors.
• Understanding nursing student errors is crucial for developing effective educational strategies to enhance patient safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare error rates in simulated medication administration between interrupted and uninterrupted scenarios for nursing students.
• To identify common types of medication administration errors made by nursing students.
• To explore nursing students' perceptions of their independent medication administration capabilities.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive, comparative, within-subjects design was employed across two study sites.
• Direct observation was used to collect data on medication administration errors.
• Senior baccalaureate nursing students participated in individual debriefing sessions to discuss their experiences.

Main Results:

• Nearly one-third of nursing students made medication administration errors.
• Error rates were comparable in both interrupted (19.4%) and uninterrupted (16.7%) simulated conditions.
• The most frequent errors involved documentation and incorrect dosage; students cited interruptions and insufficient practice as causes.

Conclusions:

• Educational programs require enhancement to prepare nursing students for safe, independent medication administration in complex healthcare settings.
• Integrating systems factors into nursing education is essential for improving patient safety outcomes.