Investigating the Reasons for Failing to Report Adverse Drug Reactions (ADR) by Nurses of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in the Year 2015

Background: Due to their inherent characteristics, neonates hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care units are more often exposed to medication errors and its adverse effects. The aim of this study is to determine the reasons for failure to report Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) experienced by nurses employed at these units in educational and treatment centers affiliated to the Iran University of Medical Sciences in the city of Tehran in the year 2015. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted by using Gupta and colleagues’ Questionnaire with its validity and reliability verified by the research team in Iran. Data were collected by using the available sampling method in the educational and treatment centers affiliated to Iran University of Medical Sciences, from November 2015 to March 2016. The collected data were analyzed by using SPSS software version 16. Results: Of 96 nurses taking part in this study, 68 (70.8%) had experienced incidences of adverse drug reactions. However, only 43 of them (44.8%) have reported them. Regarding the reasons for not reporting ADRs, 51 nurses (53.1%) stated difficulty in detecting the incidence of error, 19 (19.8%) stated not having the right to receive remuneration for doing so, 16 (16.7%) stated the shortage of time, and 10 (10.4%) reported lack of effectiveness had they reported it. Conclusion: Since many complications can be prevented in neonates by timely reporting of these ADRs, it is recommended that removing the impediments in the path of reporting errors should come under consideration as a management and care priority by directors and officials of medical centers.