Factors Affecting Medication Errors from Nurses' Perspective: Lessons Learned

Introduction: Medical errors are among the most threatening faults against patient’s safety in all countries. The most frequent medical errors are medication errors which can lead to serious effects and even death in patients. Therefore, this study aimed to explain factors affecting medication eroors from the viewpoints of nurses in order to present strategies to reduce these errors. Methods: This study is a qualitative research based on directed content analysis approach. A porpuseful sample of 20 nurses working in Imam Hossein teaching hospital of Tehran, who had at least two years of clinical experience participated in semi-structured interviews. The regour and confirmability of data were verified through external check (member and peer check) as well as confirmation by participants. Data was simultaneously analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: Participants stated factors influencing errors in two themes: individual approach (including "individual and psychological characteristics of nurses," "characteristics of patients", "error resulted from physician orders"), and organizational culture and approach (including" working conditions"," learning process", "risk management procedures and how to deal with it", "drug information", "inevitability of errors in nursing", and "complications of medication errors"). Conclusion: Factors affecting medication errors are diverse, variable, and influenced by personal, organizational, and situational factors. The results of this study showed the importance of comprehensive educational programs, qualified role models, opportunity for field experience, and availability of useful feedbacks in a favorable environment during academic years and in workplace.