Table 5 The medication errors, the individual contributory factors and the system contributory factors in relation to the nurses’ work experience
Nurse’s work experience | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
0–2 years | >2 years | p | ||
n = 55 | N = 317 | |||
Error type | ||||
1 | Wrong dose | 20 (36.4 %) | 140 (44.2 %) | 0.305 |
2 | Wrong drug due to mix-up of drugs | 9 (16.4 %) | 51 (16.1 %) | 1.000 |
3 | Wrong patient due to mix-up of patients | 14 (25.5 %) | 34 (10.7 %) | 0.007 |
4 | Omission | 3 (5.5 %) | 35 (11.0 %) | 0.332 |
5 | Unauthorized drug | 2 (3.6 %) | 35 (11.0 %) | 0.139 |
6 | Wrong route | 9 (16.4 %) | 14 (4.4 %) | 0.003 |
7 | Wrong judgement or inadequate assessment of the patient’s need for treatment | 1 (1.8 %) | 9 (2.8 %) | 1.000 |
8 | Wrong management or storage of the drug | 1 (1.8 %) | 7 (2.2 %) | 1.000 |
9 | Allergy-related error | 0 (0.0 %) | 5 (1.6 %) | 1.000 |
Individual contributory factor | ||||
1 | Negligence, forgetfulness or lack of attentiveness | 46 (83.6 %) | 207 (65.3 %) | 0.007 |
2 | Proper protocol not followed | 13 (23.6 %) | 82 (25.9 %) | 0.867 |
3 | Lack of knowledge | 17 (30.9 %) | 37 (11.7 %) | 0.001 |
4 | Practice beyond scope of practice | 1 (1.8 %) | 48 (15.1 %) | 0.004 |
5 | Inappropiate communication | 3 (5.5 %) | 33 (10.4 %) | 0.328 |
6 | Disease or drug abuse | 1 (1.8 %) | 13 (4.1 %) | 0.703 |
System contributory factor | ||||
1 | Role overload | 25 (45.5 %) | 117 (36.9 %) | 0.233 |
2 | Unclear communication or orders | 13 (23.6 %) | 87 (27.4 %) | 0.624 |
3 | Lack of adequate access to guidelines or unclear organisational routines | 9 (16.4 %) | 97 (30.6 %) | 0.035 |
4 | Inappropriate location of medication or look-alike medication | 7 (12.7 %) | 40 (12.6 %) | 1.000 |
5 | Interruption or distraction when preparing or administering medication | 8 (14.5 %) | 22 (6.9 %) | 0.064 |
6 | Inadequate technique or pharmaceutical service | 2 (3.6 %) | 23 (7.3 %) | 0.557 |
7 | Pressure from patient/family or other staff members to satisfy the patient’s immediate needs | 2 (3.6 %) | 21 (6.6 %) | 0.551 |
8 | Administration in an emergency situation | 1 (1.8 %) | 6 (1.9 %) | 1.000 |