The Proportion of Self-Reported Medication Administration Errors and Associated Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study

Area of Science:

• Nursing Practice
• Patient Safety
• Healthcare Quality Improvement

Background:

• Medication administration errors (MAEs) are preventable incidents with potential harm.
• Assessing MAE reporting rates and influencing factors among nurses is crucial for patient safety.
• Understanding reporting behaviors is essential for developing targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the proportion of self-reported MAE reporting among nurses in Saudi Arabia.
• To identify factors associated with MAE reporting or non-reporting.
• To provide evidence-based recommendations for improving MAE reporting.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed.
• Data were collected from 259 nurses at a teaching hospital using an electronic questionnaire.
• Descriptive statistical analysis was used to analyze the collected data.

Main Results:

• Nurses reported medication administration errors at a high level, notifying their department when errors occurred.
• Key barriers to reporting MAEs included high workload (84.1%) and fear of legal action (42.5%).
• Double-checking medications was identified as a highly recommended preventive measure (99.7%).

Conclusions:

• Recommendations to enhance MAE reporting include effective workload management strategies.
• Fostering a non-punitive reporting culture is vital for encouraging open communication and improving patient safety.
• Addressing nurses' concerns about workload and legal repercussions can increase reporting rates.