Clinical Pharmacology & Biopharmaceutics
Open Access

Abstract

Background: Children are more susceptible to medication errors than adults. Medication administration process is the last stage in the medication treatment process and most of the errors detected in this stage. Little research has been undertaken about medication errors in children in the Middle East countries. Aim: To evaluate how the paediatric nurses adhere to the medication administration policy and also to identify any medication preparation and administration errors or any contributory factors that may affects the nurses� practice during their medication administration process. Method: This was a prospective direct observational study of medication administration process, from when the nurses preparing patient medication until administration in the patient room in the paediatric ward (May to August 2014). Also, the observers were documented any medication administration errors occurred during the study period. Main outcomes were adherence rate of each step of preparation and administration process, number of errors and associated risk factors. All data collected was anonymous and was recorded on a data collection form which was designed specifically for this purpose. Results: Twelve paediatric nurses serving 90 paediatric patients were observed. 456 drug administered doses were evaluated. Adherence rate was variable in 7 steps out of 16 steps. Patient allergy information, dose calculation, drug expiry date were the steps in medication administration with lowest adherence rates. 63 medication preparation and administration errors were identified with error rate 13.8% of medication administrations. No potentially life-threating errors were witnessed. Few logistic and administrative factors were reported. Conclusion: Medication administration policy and procedure need an urgent revision. Nurses� knowledge and skills regarding to the medication administration process should be improved.

Biography

Email: zalsulami@psmmc.med.sa