Medication Administration Errors: Prevalence, Causes and Reporting Barriers Among Nurses at Tertiary Care Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract

Aim of the study: This study aimed to determine the frequency of medication administration errors (MAEs), identify key contributing factors, and explore barriers to reporting among healthcare professionals in a clinical setting. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive quantitative study was conducted at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, from January to June 2020. A total of 217 registered nurses (107 males, 110 females; mean age 36 ±5.41 years) with at least one year of clinical experience participated. Non-probability convenience sampling was used. Data were collected using a validated, customized questionnaire covering the frequency of MAEs, contributing factors, and reporting barriers. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 21.0. Results: The most common MAEs were failure to follow written instructions (53.1%), improper dilution (50.2%), and incorrect labeling (47.9%). The major contributing factors were high workloads (99.5%) and inadequate nursing staff (100.0%). Fear of supervisory reactions (98.2%) and concerns about personal and professional consequences (100.0%) were major barriers to reporting errors. Conclusion: Nursing shortages, excessive workloads, and fear of repercussions significantly contribute to both MAEs and underreporting. Addressing these systemic issues is essential to promoting a safer medication administration environment and enhancing patient safety.

Keywords: Nursing Staff, Patient Safety, Health Care System