title: The application of Aronson's taxonomy to medication errors in nursing.
abstract: Medication administration is a frequent nursing activity that is prone to error. In this study of 318 self-reported medication incidents (including near misses), very few resulted in patient harm-7% required intervention or prolonged hospitalization or caused temporary harm. Aronson's classification system provided an excellent framework for analysis of the incidents with a close connection between the type of error and the change strategy to minimize medication incidents. Taking a behavioral approach to medication error classification has provided helpful strategies for nurses such as nurse-call cards on patient lockers when patients are absent and checking of medication sign-off by outgoing and incoming staff at handover.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Applied Nursing Research, School of Nursing & Midwifery, College of Health & Science, University of Western Sydney, Penrith South DC, New South Wales, Australia. m.johnson@uws.edu.au
authors.forename: Maree
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Young
mesh_terms: D002965:Classification / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008510:Medication Systems, Hospital / Q000592:standards*; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000592:standards*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D012308:Risk Management / Q000379:methods