Nurses Perception on Medication Error and It’s Prevention

Medication errors are one of the most common serious problems in the world that threaten patient safety and may lead to even death. There are multiple contributory factors to the occurrence of errors. Preventing or reducing harm to the patients is necessary. Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore the factors related to nurses’ perception s on medication error and its preventive strategies at tertiary level hospitals in Bangladesh. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using self report questionnaires. A total number of 280 nurses were recruited from Dhaka Medical College Hospital and Mugda Medical College Hospital in Bangladesh. Data were collected from January to April 2018. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, Chi square, and Binary logistic regression. Results: The Mean score of the medication error prevention strategies was 6.95 (SD=.659) out of maximum of 8 points indicated high level of preventive strategies. However, mean perception of medication error was at 15.64 (SD=4.571) out of maximum of 22 point which indicate moderate level of perception. Nurses’ prevention strategies of medication error had significantly associated with perception ( p< .004). Factors including education ( p<.035), working area ( p< .018), Training on giving drug ( p< .037), and experienced of medication error (p<.004) were significantly associated with nurses’ preventive strategies on medication error. In Binary logistic regression analysis, four predictors were included in the model. However only perception level was found significant. This predictor explains about 28% of variance toward the prevention of medication error strategies. Conclusion: Only significant cause were influenced towards nurses’ prevention strategies on medication error. Therefore the policy needs to be improved to decrease medication error for patients’ safety.