Risks of nurses administering medications and addictive substances

Goal: The administration of medications, including those containing addictive substances, plays a fundamental role in healthcare. The administration of medication by nurses in hospitals is a critical yet high-risk process. This research aims to map the risks of medicine administration errors in a hospital, including medications containing addictive substances. Methods: The data were obtained using the standardized Medication Administration Error Survey (MAE) questionnaire, which was supplemented by a non-standardized section. A total of 500 questionnaires were distributed. The return rate of the questionnaires was 382 (76%). The sample consisted of nurses from selected departments from four hospitals in South Bohemia. The research was carried out between June and August 2023. Nurses were asked about medication administration in the hospital environment. Results: The research results point to the possible risks of medication errors during the preparation and administration of medicines, the reasons for medication administration errors in the workplace, and whether nurses pay attention to medications containing addictive substances. Conclusion: Patient safety and protection is a priority for all healthcare facilities. An important part is monitoring all adverse events associated with medication administration errors and setting clear rules to minimize these risks.