Medication errors occurrence and reporting: A qualitative study of the Jordanian nurses' experiences

  • Ahmad Rajeh Saifan Faculty of Nursing, Applied Science Private University Amman, Jordan
  • Alexandra Dimitri New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
  • Nabeel Al-Yateem College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
  • Abedalmajeed Shajrawi Faculty of Health Sciences, Higher Colleges of Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
  • Khaldoun Hamdan Department of Acute and Chronic Care Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Amman, Jordan
  • Osamah Mohammad Al-Habeis Department of Surgical, Al-Hussein Al-Salt New Hospital, Salt, Jordan
  • Mohammed Albashtawy Princess Salma Faculty of Nursing, Al-Albayt University, Mafraq, Jordan
  • Abdullah Alkhawaldeh Princess Salma Faculty of Nursing, Al-Albayt University, Mafraq, Jordan
  • Mahmoud Alsaraireh Princess Aisha Bint Al-Hussein College for Nursing and Health Sciences, Al-Hussein Bin Talal University, Ma’an, Jordan
  • Luma Ahmad Issa Ali Arab University College of Technology, Amman, Jordan
Keywords: medication errors; error reporting; qualitative research; nursing staff, Jordan

Abstract

Background & Aim: Medication errors are a significant concern in healthcare, with effective management largely dependent on understanding its causes and reporting practices. This study aims to explore the experiences of Jordanian nurses in relation to medication error occurrence and reporting within the Jordanian context and the factors that may influence their decisions to report or not.

Methods & Materials: A qualitative descriptive approach was used. 24 nurses from three different hospitals were interviewed. The hospitals included a major governmental institution, a private facility, and a university hospital, ensuring diverse healthcare settings. Data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis, and the study was reported guided by the COREQ checklist.

Results: Three major themes were identified: Obsolete policies and guidelines, Adapting to an Unhealthy Environment, and Trying to adjust: creating own definition for MEs. In our study, medication errors emerged as a pervasive issue across Jordanian hospitals, attributed to both systemic failures and individual practices. Despite existing policies, participants reported frequent MEs due to obsolete guidelines, lack of adherence, and an environment that hinders effective medication administration.

Conclusion: The study reveals the critical issues of medication errors in Jordanian hospitals due to outdated policies and challenging environments. It emphasizes the need for updated protocols and a culture supportive of error reporting. Addressing these factors is essential for improving patient safety and healthcare quality.

Published
2024-04-30
Section
Articles