MEDICATION ERRORS: KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE OF NURSES IN AJMAN, UAE

Abstract

Objectives: This study was conducted to assess the knowledge and attitude of practicing nurses on medication administration and medication errors. Materials and Methods:A questionnaire assessing knowledge on medication errors and attitude of the staff towards medication errors was distributed to 170 nurses working in Gulf Medical College Hospital, Ajman.Analyses were made by appropriate statistical test procedures. Results:In the present study, 67.1% possessed the qualification of GNM (explain) and the remaining were graduates. Twenty one questions were asked to elicit the knowledge regarding medication errors. Mean knowledge score was 15.1±2.6 among participants with graduate level education whereas it was 14.2±2.8 for those with GNM as education level. The years of clinical experience was categorized into five broad groups as less than 2 years, 2-4 years, 46 years, 6-8 years, and 8 years and above. Of the 170 nurses in the study, about 35% were with a clinical experience of 8 years and above followed by 22.9% in 2-4 years, 22.4% 4-6 years, 12.9% 6-8 years, and 6.5% with clinical experience less than 2 years respectively. The mean knowledge level of participants with less than 2 years of clinical experience was13.9, whereas in those with more than 2 years of experience the mean knowledge level was 14.8. Conclusion:Knowledge of medication errors is similar across categories of participants with different durations of clinical experience and qualifications. More than 75% of Nurses strongly agrees to the fact that continuous education and up to date information of pharmacology are necessary to avoid medication errors.