Understanding why medication administration errors may not be reported

Am J Med Qual. 1999 Mar-Apr;14(2):81-8. doi: 10.1177/106286069901400203.

Abstract

Because the identification and reporting of medication administration errors (MAE) is a nonautomated and voluntary process, it is important to understand potential barriers to MAE reporting. This paper describes and analyzes a survey instrument designed to assist in evaluating the relative importance of 15 different potential MAE-reporting barriers. Based on the responses of over 1300 nurses and a confirmatory LISREL analysis, the 15 potential barriers are combined into 4 subscales: Disagreement Over Error, Reporting Effort, Fear, and Administrative Response. The psychometric properties of this instrument and descriptive profiles are presented. Specific suggestions for enhancing MAE reporting are discussed.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems / statistics & numerical data
  • Factor Analysis, Statistical
  • Health Care Surveys
  • Humans
  • Iowa
  • Medication Errors / prevention & control*
  • Medication Errors / statistics & numerical data
  • Nursing Staff, Hospital / statistics & numerical data*
  • Quality Assurance, Health Care
  • Risk Management / statistics & numerical data*
  • Truth Disclosure*