Magnitude and associated factors of medication administration error among nurses working in Northwest Amhara Region Referral Hospitals, Northwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Introduction: Medication administration errors actually reach patients and pose a threat to patient safety resulting in an increase in mortality rates, length of hospital stay, and related costs. It has an impact on patients, healthcare professionals, and health institutions. It is highly prevalent in Ethiopia which ranges from 51.8% to 90.8%. Knowing the magnitude and associated factors of medication administration error will help to provide information for health policy-makers to design and implement effective interventions to reduce its negative impact. Objective: This study aimed to assess the magnitude and associated factors of medication administration error among nurses at Northwest Amhara Region Referral Hospitals. Methods: Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February to March 2019. Simple random sampling technique was employed to select 348 nurses. Structured pre tested self-administered questionnaire and observational checklist were used to collect data. The data were entered in Epi-info version 7, analyzed using SPSS version 20 and presented by tables and graphs. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regressions were computed to identify the factors associated with medication administration error. Pvalue < 0.05 and adjusted odds ratio were used to declare the significance and strength

of association.

Result: One hundred seventy-eight (54%) of the respondents made medication administration error in the last 12 months. Only ten (5%) of the 200 observed nurses were administered medications without any breach in any of the six rights of medication administration. Factors like poor knowledge [AOR= 5.98; 95% CI (2.39,14.94)], poor communication [AOR=2.94; 95% CI (1.34, 6.46)], stress [AOR = 5.41; 95% CI (2.53, 11.57)], interruption during medication administration [AOR = 4.70, 95 % CI (2.42, 9.10)] and night shift [AOR = 2.79, 95 % CI (1.42, 5.46)] were significantly associated with medication administration error. Conclusion and recommendation: The magnitude of medication administration error was high. Poor knowledge, poor communication, stress, night shift, and interruption were significantly associated with medication administration errors. Strengthening institutional medication administration regulations and guidelines and minimizing interruption during medication administration would be helpful for minimizing medication administration errors. Key words: magnitude, medication administration, medication administration error, Nurse