Understanding the human and system factors involved in medication errors
To understand the human and system factors involved in medicines administration errors
To disseminate strategies that yourself and your colleagues can apply to daily practice to minimise the likelihood of medicines administration errors
To contribute to a positive safety culture by reducing the risk of harm to patients as a result of medicines administration errors through awareness of the types of error and factors influencing error proneness
Medication errors involving patients are a serious concern in healthcare practice. Nurses, more than any other healthcare professional group, are principally involved in medicines administration. This article recognises the complexity of why medication errors occur and considers the many factors involved, including those from an individual and organisational system perspective. It adopts a solution-focused approach, based on the evidence underpinning the knowledge of medication errors.
