COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF MEDICATION ERROR PREVALENCE, DETERMINANTS, AND REPORTING PRACTICES AMONG NURSES AT (LUH) JAMSHORO/HYDERABAD

Abstract

Objective: This study investigates medication errors in Liaquat University Hospital (LUH) Jamshoro/Hyderabad, Pakistan. It examines the prevalence, root causes, and reporting of these errors from the perspective of nurses.

Background: Medication errors rank among the most frequent medical mistakes in healthcare systems globally. These errors can happen at any point in the medication process, such as during prescribing, transcribing, dispensing, or administering medications. Causative issues include poor communication, staffing shortages, lack of training, and system failures. These errors not only compromise patient safety but also affect healthcare professionals emotionally and professionally.

Study design and methods: This descriptive study was conducted over four months. Using a non-probability convenience sampling method (NPCSM), a separately calculated sample of nurses was selected. Data were collected using a structured, pre-formed questionnaire. The tool comprised items across four sections: demographic data, ten ranked causes of medication errors, estimated percentage of errors reported (1%–100%), and six yes/no items on nurses' views toward error reporting analysis was carried out with the help of MS excel.

Results: Over the span of their professional careers, nurses reported a mean of 3.39 self-recalled medication errors. The study of 109 nurses revealed a low average medication error reporting rate of 23.24%. Common error causes included miscalculations, poor labeling, and illegible handwriting. Despite confidence in identifying errors, fear of blame and disciplinary action hindered reporting. These findings highlight a need for a supportive reporting culture.

Conclusion: Medication errors are a common and serious issue in healthcare that compromise patient safety and affect healthcare workers emotionally. This study at Liaquat University Hospital revealed that nurses experience multiple medication errors but report less than a quarter of them, largely due to fear of blame and disciplinary action. Common causes include miscalculations, poor labeling, and illegible handwriting. Studies have estimated that medication errors occur at an average rate of 1.9 errors per patient per day.

Implications for research, policy, and practice: Healthcare institutions should enhance nurse education on medication safety, establish clear labeling standards, and implement anonymous reporting within a blame-free culture. Supportive leadership and mandatory ongoing training must be prioritized to reduce errors and improve patient safety.

• Medication errors (omissions or commissions) occur globally at rates from 1.9%–80%, mostly during prescribing or transcription; about half are preventable, and some are fatal (1).
• Causes include poor prescriptions, incorrect dosages, calculation errors, staff shortages, and nurse fatigue or depression (2).

Medication errors are underreported, especially in developing countries; common ones include wrong time, dose, or route, leading to patient harm and staff burnout (3).