Klin Farmakol Farm. 2019;33(4):4-11 | DOI: 10.36290/far.2019.026
Medication errors are among the most frequent causes of adverse events in hospitals. They occur more frequently at intensive care units (ICUs) than other types of hospital departments.
Aim: The main objective of this study was to determine the level of nurses‘ knowledge about correct use of medications at ICUs.
Methods: A questionnaire regarding high‑risk medications was used to evaluate nurses‘ knowledge, and the experienced administration errors were reported by nurses working at ICUs for adult patients.
Results: A total of 240 respondents participated in the research. As far as their knowledge, in 23 % was found sufficient and in 63 % relatively sufficient. University‑educated nurses achieved an average grade of 1.86 while secondary‑educated nurses achieved an average mark of 2.02 (p < 0.05). Less than 23% of respondents experienced medication error at their workplace and 5 % of the respondents admitted committing such error themselves.
Conclusions: While the knowledge of ICU nurses about medications is good, the reluctance to report medication errors remains apparent.
Published: January 1, 2020 Show citation