title: Nurses' knowledge about the double-checking process for medicines administration.
abstract: This study aimed to evaluate nurses' knowledge, perceptions and opinions of double-checking medication administration in a UK children's hospital. Of 119 questionnaires distributed, 48 were returned. Only 30 respondents had seen a written version of the hospital double-checking policy. More than half stated that they had not received formal training in double-checking medications. Of 35 nurses providing a definition of double-checking, one gave a response that reflected hospital policy. Most respondents thought that staffing, workloads and interruptions affected adherence to double-checking; 15 reported that double-checking was easier to do at night; and the results suggested that lack of knowledge and of clear guidelines contributed to medication errors.
authors.affiliation: School of Graduate Entry Medicine and Health, University of Nottingham.
authors.forename: Zayed
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Alsulami
authors.forename: Imti
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Choonara
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Conroy
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D054796:Drug Dosage Calculations; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control; D010371:Pediatric Nursing; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom
chemical_list: D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations
keywords: Children’s nurses; double-checking; medication administration; nurse training; paediatric medication; prescription drugs