Emergency Room Nurses' Perceptions of Medication Errors in the Emergency Department

Medication errors (MEs) remain a pervasive issue in United States emergency departments, where emergency room (ER) nurses play a central role in the medication process. The medication process involves transcribing, prescribing, dispensing, administering, and monitoring. Proper adherence to the process ensures that the right medication is given to the right patient in the correct dose, route, and time. It also allows consideration of potential interactions and side effects, with the goal of achieving safe and efficacious therapeutic outcomes. Given the potential life-altering consequences of MEs, it is imperative to harness the unique insights and experiences of ER nurses who are on the frontlines of patient care. ER nurses witness firsthand the intricacies and challenges of the medication process, making their perspective invaluable in identifying the root causes and contributing factors of MEs. Recognizing the paramount importance of comprehending MEs from the perspective of nurses, this study aims to tackle prevailing constraints that often marginalize their insights and are plagued by underreporting issues. Utilizing convenience sampling, willing participants from northern Colorado completed an online survey. Thematic analysis was utilized to reveal six main themes: “Communication and Collaboration”, “Technology and Tools”, “Training and Education”, “Workflow and Process Design”, “Patient-Centered Care”, and “Individual Aspects”. It was found that facilitators include interdisciplinary collaboration, advanced technologies, ongoing education, and experience of nursing staff. Conversely, challenges encompass high patient volumes, staffing shortages, outdated systems, and lack of preparedness for emergencies were identified as significant barriers. These findings underscore the importance of open communication, sufficient resources, comprehensive training, and a strong culture of safety in enhancing the medication process. The implementation of changes demands thoughtful consideration and widespread support to ensure seamless transitions and uphold the medication process's integrity. By incorporating the nursing perspective into the continuous improvement efforts, actionable steps can be identified to reduce MEs.