FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH MEDICATION ERRORS MADE BY PROFESSIONAL NURSES.
Contributors: University of Pennsylvania.
Published: 1984
Number of pages: 132
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: The purpose of my research was to determine the factors associated with medication errors made by professional nurses. The study was of the descriptive method utilizing an interview guide constructed by the investigator, and two standardized instruments, the State Trait Anxiety Inventory constructed by Spielberger and the Life Events Inventory constructed by Cochrane and Robertson to collect the data.

The basic assumptions were that medication errors occur because of multiple variables (personal and environmental) which act as stressors on the nurse(s) and which affect behavior during the task of selecting, preparing and administering medication(s) to patients.

One hundred twenty-five medication errors, (125) which occurred over a four (4) month period were investigated. Thirty-two (32) nurses agreed to participate in the interview. The findings identified the most common factors associated with medication errors made by nurses as: (1) Increased length of experience in the practice of nursing decreased the occurrence of medication errors. (2) Increased numbers of distractors and interactions on the Clinical Units, which interrupted the nurse at some point in the process of medication administration, increased the occurrence of medication errors. (3) Increasing the number of consecutive hours worked and the effects of rotating shifts on diurnal patterns, increased the occurrence of medication errors. (4) Life events associated with transition to a new job and responsibilities increased the occurrence of medication errors. (5) Personal concerns about family members who were ill or involved with the use of drugs or alcohol increased the occurrence of medication errors.

The major recommendations are: (1) Development and implementation of a teaching program, in which the nurses are taught to recognize when they are particularly at risk for making errors. Some appropriate interventions could be utilized, therefore, reducing the possibility of the occurrence of medication errors. (2) Establishment of support person(s) or support groups who are visible, credible and trusted by nursing staff. (3) Review of the present medication administration system by the Division of Nursing and Pharmacy with a particular focus on medication order checking and charting of administration of medications. Consideration should be given to the development of a computerized medication administration system.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 45-04, Section: B, page: 1153.

Thesis (ED.D.)--UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, 1984.

School code: 0175.