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. 2017 Jan 31:6:47-51.
doi: 10.2147/IPRP.S125085. eCollection 2017.

Prevalence of intravenous medication administration errors: a cross-sectional study

Tezeta Fekadu  1 , Mebrahtu Teweldemedhin  2 , Eyerusalem Esrael  1 , Solomon Weldegebreal Asgedom  1
Affiliations

Prevalence of intravenous medication administration errors: a cross-sectional study

Tezeta Fekadu et al. Integr Pharm Res Pract. .

Abstract

Background: Intravenous medication administration errors (MAEs) may be accompanied by avoidable undesirable effects, which might result in clinical complications.

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of MAEs and to identify the factors associated with such errors.

Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March to April 2015. Data were collected by direct observation using a pretested data collection tool. Simple random sampling was used, and bivariate logistic regression model was used to identify the factors associated with MAEs. P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: A total of 134 patients were found to be eligible for the study. More than half of the study participants were males (76 [56.7%]). The rate of MAE was 46.1%, with the missed dose (n=162, 95.8%) being reported as the most common error. The age groups of 60-79 years (adjusted odds ratio = 2.166, confidence interval = 1.532-8.799) and 80-101 years (adjusted odds ratio = 1.52, confidence interval = 1.198-5.584) were the determinants of MAEs.

Conclusion: A high prevalence of MAEs was found. Enhancing the knowledge and practical skills of clinical nurses might minimize such errors.

Keywords: administration; error; medication; prevalence.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

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