Factors contributing to medication errors: a literature review.
Drug administration is an integral part of the nurse's role. Responsibility for correct administration of medication rests with the nurse, yet medication errors are a persistent problem associated with nursing practice. This review examines what constitutes a medication error and documents contributory factors in medication errors. These factors have been derived from reported medication errors and opinions of nurses as to factors which predispose to errors. A number of definitions exist as to what constitutes a medication error. The definition used should facilitate interpretation and comparison of a wide range of research reports. Medication errors are a multidisciplinary problem and a multidisciplinary approach is required in order to reduce the incidence of errors.
O'Shea
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Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland.
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008509:Medication Systems / Q000592:standards*; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012308:Risk Management; D016526:Workload