title: [The role of occupational context factors in medication administration errors].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The incidence of medication administration errors (MAE) is high and costly for patients and health institutions. Human factors and factors relating to the work context intervene in their occurrence. The aim of this article is to identify the role of factors in the work setting related to occurrence of MAEs in the hospital field.
  
  
  METHODS
  A narrative review of the literature. Eight articles were included following a review of MEDLINE, CINAHL and COCHRANE LIBRARY databases for the 2002-2012 period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Distractions and interruptions, work overload, design of units and characteristics of the material stood out amongst the work context factors intervening in the occurrence of medication administration errors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The creation of organizational artefacts to reduce interruptions; patient involvement in medication administration; the introduction of new technologies and improving the labelling of medications can help reduce the incidence of medication administration errors. To advance in identifying and managing factors that are precursors of medication administration errors, we recommend the carrying out of studies or reviews of prospective cohorts.
authors: Departamento de Enfermería de Persona Adulta, Facultad de Enfermería, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona. lambrosio@unav.es
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Ambrosio
authors: M J
authors: MJ
authors: Pumar-Méndez
mesh_terms: D006272:Health Facility Environment; D006801:Humans; D008508:Medication Errors; D012307:Risk Factors