Antibiotic residual drug error in the intensive care unit: A qualitative exploration of awareness, causes, and solutions

ICU nurses demonstrated limited prior awareness of RDE, with participants identifying multiple contributing factors including personal practice variability, drug characteristics, workload pressures, and reconstitution technique. Proposed solutions centred on targeted education, consistent double-checking and signing procedures, and concise, accessible checklists. These findings can inform the development of practical, context-appropriate strategies to improve medication accuracy and patient safety in the ICU.