Medication-related incidents at 19 hospitals: A retrospective register study using incident reports

Abstract

Aim: To examine (a) when medication incidents occur and which type is most frequent; (b) consequences for patients; (c) incident reporters’ perceptions of causes; and (d) professional categories reporting the incidents. Design: A descriptive multicentre register study. Methods: This study included 775 medication incident reports from 19 Swedish hospitals during 2016–2017. From the 775 reports, 128 were chosen to establish the third aim. Incidents were classified and analysed statistically. Perceived causes of incidents were analysed using content analysis. Results: Incidents occurred as often in prescribing as in administering. Wrong dose was the most common error, followed by missed dose and lack of prescription. Most incidents did not harm the patients. Errors in administering reached the patients more often than errors in prescribing. The most frequently perceived causes were shortcomings in knowledge, skills and abilities, followed by workload. Most medication incidents were reported by nurses.