Background of study
Basic frameworks variables have been seen to be significant causes of prescription errors. By comprehension of the reasons for the lapses, the most suitable mediations can be outlined and executed to minimize their happening(Armitage 2009). It is due to these concerns that research on both quantitative and qualitative errors on medication was carried out.
Significance to nursing
This study is aimed to deliberately survey and evaluate exact proof and identifying with reasons showing organization errors in clinic settings.
Purpose
The study will examine the errors and give conclusion on how those mistakes can be prevented in order to guarantee patient and medics safety.
Objectives
- To investigate the contribution of machines and equipment to medication errors.
- To investigate the contribution of medics to medication error.
Hypothesis
H0: Medication errors are caused by both machines and medics.
H1: Medication errors are not caused by both machines and medics.
Concepts/phenomena
Medication errors have been on the rise consequently reducing trust in some of the medical facilities on their ability to offer services (Pepper 1995). If this phenomena is allowed to continue then the health sector will be in a mess.
Methods of study
Secondary data was used where questionnaires were filled to get both qualitative and quantitative data.
Quantitative or qualitative analysis
Subjective/qualitative investigation of the main cause examinations included findings identified with lessons learned, developing topics, and utilization of framework fixes rather than inappropriate framework fixes. The quantitative study analyzed variables. These included where in the process the mistake happened, what controls were included, the lapse dissemination, the event sort, the medicine or drug classes included, and the breakdown by patient result
Research design
The research design used is hypothetical since it examines whether medication errors is caused by medics and machines or not.
Sample
Hospitals to be studied were got by the use of simple random sampling. A total of five medical facilities were sampled.
Procedures
Questionnaires were filled using the secondary data from health department.
Results of the study
After analysis of the sample data the following findings were obtained.
| Error due to machine | Error due to human | |
| Mean | 0.058 | 0.05 |
| Variance | 0.00067 | 0.00085 |
| Observations | 5 | 5 |
| Pearson Correlation | 0.927579572 | |
| Hypothesized Mean Difference | 0 | |
| df | 4 | |
| t Stat | 1.632993162 | |
| P(T<=t) one-tail | 0.088903904 | |
| t Critical one-tail | 2.131846786 | |
| P(T<=t) two-tail | 0.177807808 | |
| t Critical two-tail | 2.776445105 |
Findings
- From the Pearson correlation there is strong relationship between human errors and those due to machine.
- To answer our hypothesis whether medication errors is caused by both medics and machines, we use the p value (0.089). It is clear that the p value (0.089) is greater than (0.05) and hence we do not reject our null hypothesis. From the findings, it is hence concluded that medication errors are caused by both human error and machines (Reason 1997).
Implications to nursing
From the results it implies that there is necessity for nursing fraternity to do evaluation and lay down procedures to curb medication errors.
These results will contribute significantly to the nursing fraternity because it will form basis for further research on the same. It is important to note that the impact of these results will not be only to the nursing fraternity but also to the education sector, health department and administration at large. Ethics code governing patient privacy was observed during the study.
Conclusion
Compulsory relaying of information regarding medication errors should be done to enable concerned departments or bodies to act appropriately. The results from of this study will be important to health departments especially when examining medication errors and formulating rules and regulations that are aimed at providing safety to patients.
References
Armitage, G. (2009). Human error theory: relevance to nurse management. J NursManag, 17 (2), 193–202.
Pepper, G.A. (1995). Errors in drug administration by nurses. Am J Health Syst Pharm, 52 (4), 390-395.
Reason, J.M. (1997). Managing the risks of organizational accidents. 1st ed. Brookfield, VT: Ashgate Publishing Company;. p. 252-257.