Medication errors: what hospital reports reveal about staff views
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Medication errors: what hospital reports reveal about staff views

Marja Härkänen Early stage researcher, Department of Nursing Science, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio
Hannele Turunen Professor, Department of Nursing Science, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Kuopio University Hospital
Susanna Saano Pharmacist, Kuopio University Hospital
Katri Vehviläinen-Julkunen Professor, Department of Nursing Science, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Nurse director, Kuopio University Hospital

Marja Härkänen and colleagues examine a study to help nurses reduce the risk of making mistakes when administering medicines to patients

Nurses are generally responsible for administering medication to patients and are, therefore, able to monitor or report medication errors. However, nurses can sometimes be responsible for causing errors, so it is important that they understand the consequences of these mistakes and how to prevent them. This article reports the results of a study that analysed the views of nurses, pharmacists and physicians at a Finnish university hospital on the prevention of medication errors. The findings suggest errors can be prevented by improving work environments and allowing healthcare staff, particularly nurses, to concentrate on the task at hand when dealing with medicines.

Nursing Management. 19, 10, 32-37. doi: 10.7748/nm2013.03.19.10.32.e1010

Correspondence

marja.harkanen@uef.fi

Peer review

This article has been subject to double blind peer review

Conflict of interest

None declared

Received: 10 October 2012

Accepted: 27 December 2012

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