Medication Administration Errors among Nurses and Midwives in Ghana

Abstract

Errors in the administration of medications are a prevalent issue among patients worldwide. The study looked at medication administration errors made by midwives and nurses in Ghana. A cross-sectional design was employed in conjunction with the quantitative method to conduct the investigation. A census sample was used to choose 231 nurses and midwives for the study. Descriptive statistics were used for the analysis. A combination of factors led to medication errors, and the majority of nurses and midwives reported experiencing medication errors twice in their professional practice. The study also found that the majority of respondents were female, between the ages of 25 and 29; they held a diploma; and they had worked for five years or less on the unit or department where the nurses and midwives were engaged. Regarding nurse-related factors, the majority of respondents concurred that psychological and mental health issues, drug unfamiliarity, and a general sense of hope-lessness and disinterest in the nursing profession are all potential causes of medication errors. The study suggests that nurses and midwives receive more intensive education on medication errors.