Factors associated with medication dispensing errors: Contribution to improve medication systems

Abstract

Objective: to analyze the associated factors and identify the types of drug dispensing errors (DE). Method: a cross-sectional study was developed with 5604 drugs dispensed in a Brazilian teaching hospital, in 2016 e 2017. Once data were obtained, by applying a checklist and opening dispensing kits, adjusted hierarchical regression was applied to identify factors associated with DE. Results: DE occurred in 236 medications and several calculation methods led to the following rates: 4.2%, 7.3%. and 24.9%. The main dispensing errors were regarding content, due to quality deviation, and omission. In the final regression model, the following variables remained associated with an increased chance of DE: overnight shift and the presence of interruption/distraction sources. Conclusion: the frequency of DE was low when using the calculation method of the Brazilian Ministry of Health. Factors related to the night shift and the use of interruption/distraction sources can be associated with DE, especially those regarding omission.