Medication errors among registered nurses in Jordan

Abstract

Abstract Objectives Medication error (ME) is like a venom dispersing in clinical practice, particularly the process of drugs’ administration. Nurses, as the direct drug administrators, are in critical defense lines to prevent its occurrence. Therefore, our aims were to explore nurses’ understanding, perception, attitude and prevalence of MEs and thereafter defining the main factors associated with its occurrence and needed for designing proper policies for its sufficient prevention. Methods Self-reported questionnaires were obtained from 156 nurses distributed almost equally between the 3 major teaching hospitals in Jordan. The questionnaires aimed at measuring their understanding, attitudes, and the prevalence of MEs. Key findings The majority of respondents were males (51.3%), young (25–34, 75%), hold a BSc degree (84.6%). Most of their experiences were less than 5 years (67.3%). The level of understanding of the definition, associated factors, and the consequences of ME was acceptable between registered nurses in Jordanian teaching hospitals. Nurses who had the lowest experience (0–5 years) were the highest in committing MEs (P-value = 0.006). Otherwise, gender, age, and education were not significantly associated with MEs. The participants reported that the most common causes of medication error were setting the infusion devices incorrectly, distraction, labeling and packaging problems. Participants declared that the incidents of MEs are underreported (Reporting rate (28.3%)) and they believed that it was most likely due to the fear of losing their job, misjudgment on the seriousness of the incidence that warrant reporting, and fear from coworkers' actions. Conclusions MEs are common and may be underreported among registered nurses in Jordan. National policymakers should take critical steps to encourage the nurses to report any error in medication administration and therefore reducing its occurrence.