An Online Cross-sectional Survey Evaluating Medication Error Handling Practices among Tertiary Care Healthcare Professionals

Objectives: Medication errors are a leading cause of preventable harm and contribute to rising healthcare costs. Evaluating healthcare professionals’ (HCPs’) practices in managing such errors is critical for enhancing patient safety and guiding institutional training. This study aimed to assess basic practices related to medication error handling and identify barriers to reporting among HCPs at a tertiary care hospital. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted over 2 months at Parul Sevashram Hospital following institutional ethics committee approval. An English-language, 13-item questionnaire was distributed to a convenience sample using Google Forms. Physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and interns employed at the institute who provided informed consent were included in the study while those who did not provide consent were excluded. The minimum calculated sample size was 377; to ensure adequate participation, the questionnaire was disseminated to 600 HCPs. Responses were binary-coded (Yes = 1, No = 0), generating a total score categorized as excellent (8–9), good (6–7), average (4–5), or poor (<4). The rationale for these thresholds was exploratory and designed for descriptive grouping in this study. Descriptive statistics were calculated using Microsoft Excel, and inferential analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Internal consistency of the scale was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha (α = 0.777). A Chi-square test examined the association between profession and consideration of error reporting. Results: A total of 433 HCPs completed the survey (response rate: 72.1%). Nurses comprised the largest professional group (41.3%), and most participants were aged 18–30. While 94.0% were aware of medication errors, only 59.1% demonstrated excellent handling practices. The most reported barrier to error reporting was difficulty identifying errors (39.5%). A significant association was observed between professional role and the likelihood of considering error reporting (χ 2 [3, n = 433] = 11.873, P = 0.008, Cramer’s V = 0.166, 95% confidence interval: 0.05–0.26). Conclusion: This first institutional online survey highlights a gap between theoretical knowledge and HCPs’ practice in medication error management. The reliance on self-reported responses, binary response options, and the underrepresentation of physicians are limitations. A high response rate suggests the feasibility for use of this de novo scale in tertiary care institutions. Profession-specific training and validated tools are needed to strengthen the reporting culture and patient safety.