Clinical Audit of Nurses' Medication Errors During COVID-۱۹

Medication errors in nursing can adversely affect the quality of healthcare services and the public's perception of the healthcare system, potentially leading to increased treatment costs, severe injuries, and even patient fatalities. This quasi-experimental study, utilizing a before-after design with a comparison group based on a clinical audit approach, was conducted in ۲۰۲۲ at two teaching hospitals affiliated with Lorestan University of Medical Sciences. A total of ۴۰ clinical nurses from the COVID-۱۹ emergency departments of Shahid Rahimi Hospital (intervention group) and Shohadaye Ashayer Hospital (comparison group) were selected. Data collection was performed via direct observation using a researcher-developed checklist for correct medication administration principles. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics with SPSS software version ۲۵. In total, ۲۴۰ medication rounds were observed. The highest mean error rates in both groups were observed in the administration of infusion medication (۲۰.۰۵-۲۱.۰۰), intramuscular injections (۱۹.۱۵–۱۹.۴۵), medication preparation (۱۹.۰۰–۱۹.۴۰), and intravenous injections (۱۵.۱۰-۱۵.۹۰). Prior to the intervention, no significant differences were noted between the control and intervention groups. However, post-intervention, the mean medication errors for all assessed factors were significantly reduced in the intervention group (P<۰.۰۰۱), while the comparison group showed no substantial changes. The findings indicate that medication education interventions based on clinical audits significantly reduce medication errors. It is recommended that nursing managers address human resource issues, conduct workshops, and provide in-service training on medication preparation, side effects, and pharmaceutical knowledge.

کلیدواژه ها:

medication errors ، COVID-۱۹ Patients ، clinical audit ، Nursing staff