title: Registered nurses' knowledge and compliance with regulations relating to the administration of ward recordable medications.
abstract: An anonymous questionnaire assessing nurses' knowledge, attitude and compliance with legally mandated regulations relating to the administration of ward recordable drugs was administered by mail to a random sample of nurses registered in New South Wales, Australia. Sixty-four per cent of subjects (n = 318) responded. Both self-reported and colleague-reported compliance rates were less than 50%. A highly significant relationship was evident between knowledge and attitude, knowledge and reported compliance; and attitude and reported compliance. Factors that may influence non-compliance are discussed and the legal, ethical and policy implications of the findings are briefly explored.
authors.affiliation: Division of Public Health, Faculty of Health, University of Western Sydney, Macarthur, Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: B I
authors.initials: BI
authors.lastname: Gill
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Bligh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004282:Documentation; D004335:Drug and Narcotic Control / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D004993:Ethics, Nursing; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires