PREVALENCE AND CONTRIBUTING FACTORS OF MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION ERRORS AMONG NURSES IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITALS IN PESHAWAR

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of our study was to investigate the prevalence of medication administration errors among nurses and identify the contributing factors that affect nursing practice and patient safety. The study aimed to explore the relationship between workload, time constraints, training, and resources in relation to medication errors.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 250 nurses in various healthcare settings. The study collected quantitative data through structured questionnaires, which assessed the frequency of medication errors, the contributing factors, and the demographic details of the participants, such as age,  years of experience, and educational background. Descriptive statistical analyses were used to identify significant trends.

Results: Our study results indicated that 27.3% of nurses reported administering the wrong drug, 24.9% used the wrong route, and 28.9% failed to verify patient identity. Additionally, 29.6% of nurses occasionally neglected documentation, and 31.6% did not verify unclear medication orders. Factors such as high workloads, time pressures, lack of resources, and insufficient training were identified as key contributors to these errors. our study found that younger nurses with less experience were more prone to making these mistakes.

Conclusion: Our study highlights the significant impact of systemic issues, including high workloads and inadequate training, on medication administration errors. Improving training, communication, adherence to protocols, and addressing environmental and resource-related barriers are essential to reducing medication errors and enhancing patient safety. our findings underscore the importance of organizational interventions and support systems in ensuring safe medication practices.