Nurses' experience of medical errors: an integrative literature review

Abstract

Medical errors are a substantial problem in health care. Understanding the effect of medical errors on health care providers as the "second victims" is necessary to maintain safe, quality patient care for the good of both patients and providers. We report an integrative literature review of the effect of medical errors on nurses. A model derived from the findings illustrates the concept of nurses' experience of medical errors. Specific recommendations for improving that experience are offered.