Investigating risk factors for medication errors during perioperative care: A retrospective cohort study

Abstract

Medication errors during perioperative care significantly compromise patient safety and the quality of outcomes. It is crucial to identify and understand the factors that contribute to these errors to develop effective, targeted interventions. This study aims to explore the risk factors associated with medication errors during perioperative care in a tertiary hospital setting, focusing on patient demographics, medication types, administration routes, and nursing care characteristics. A retrospective cohort study was conducted, encompassing adult patients who underwent surgical procedures from January 2020 to January 2023. Data on medication administration, patient demographics, and surgical details were extracted from electronic health records. Medication errors were classified based on the harm caused to the patients. Logistic regression analyses were employed to identify significant risk factors. The study included 1723 patients, with a balanced gender distribution. The median patient age was 53 years. Medication errors were significantly associated with patient age, the type of medication administered, and specific administration routes. Higher education levels and advanced professional titles among nursing staff were inversely related to the occurrence of medication errors. The presence of a dedicated anesthesia nurse significantly reduced the likelihood of errors. Patient age, medication type, administration route, nursing education level, and the involvement of specialized anesthesia nurses emerged as significant factors influencing the risk of medication errors in perioperative care. These findings underscore the need for targeted educational and procedural interventions to mitigate such errors, enhancing patient safety in surgical settings.