Nurses' responses to medication errors: suggestions for the development of organizational strategies to improve reporting

J Nurs Care Qual. 2009 Oct-Dec;24(4):287-97. doi: 10.1097/NCQ.0b013e3181a4d506.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to obtain a comprehensive understanding of how nurses respond to medication errors and identify strategies that nurses believe may improve reporting of these errors within hospitals. The findings suggest that nurses use a decision-making process when reporting medication errors. Medication error reporting may be improved by instituting a problem-solving approach to respectfully manage the event and providing nurses with clear guidelines, remedial education, and timely feedback.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Academic Medical Centers / organization & administration*
  • Decision Making
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Medication Errors / prevention & control*
  • Medication Errors / psychology
  • Nursing Staff, Hospital / organization & administration*
  • Nursing Staff, Hospital / psychology
  • Risk Management / organization & administration*