Review Factors contributing to medication errors: a literature review

Drug administration forms a major part of the clinical nurse's role. Medication administration by the nurse is only one part of a process that also involves doctors and pharmacists (Betz & Levy, 1985). Medicines are prescribed by the doctor and dispensed by the pharmacist, but responsibility for correct administration rests with the nurse. Each Registered Nurse is accountable for his or her practice. This practice includes preparing, checking and administering medications, updating knowledge of medications, monitoring the effectiveness of treatment, reporting adverse reactions and teaching patients about their drugs. The patient expects to receive the correct medication at each drug round, but several studies suggest that this does not always occur (Fuqua & Stevens, 1988; Raju et al., 1989; Keill & Johnson, 1993; Ferner, 1995). Medication errors do occur and are a persistent problem associated with nursing practice.