For the study, researchers analyzed documentation of 1,276 medication errors involving registered nurses reported from November 2011 through July 2014 at five hospitals in the southwestern United States. Researchers found cardiovascular drugs were associated with 24.7 percent of all medication errors, followed by antibiotics at 19.1 percent, electrolytes at 11.3 percent, endocrine drugs at 8.8 percent and analgesics also at 8.8 percent.
Sign up for our FREE E-Weekly for more coverage like this sent to your inbox!
“MEs (medication errors) occurred more frequently in the medical-surgical and intensive care units than any other hospital units,” wrote the study’s authors. “Ten percent of MEs reached the patients with harm and 11 percent reached the patients with increased monitoring. Understanding the contributing factors related to MEs, addressing and eliminating risk of errors across hospital units, and providing education and resources for nurses may help reduce MEs.”
Approximately 1.5 million preventable adverse drug events occur annually in the U.S., according to data from the Institute of Medicine cited by the study’s authors.
More articles on quality:
Supplemental glucose helps reduce labor duration for 1st time mothers, study shows
Staffing shortages put Montana psychiatric hospital in ‘immediate jeopardy’ with CMS
Women overlook C-section rates when choosing birthing hospital
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.