Medication Errors During Night Shifts in Pakistani Hospitals: Role of Nurse-Pharmacist Collaboration

Background: Medication errors are a major patient safety concern, particularly during night shifts when healthcare professionals experience fatigue, increased workload, and staff shortages. In Pakistan, these challenges are further intensified by limited resources and weak interprofessional communication, increasing the risk of errors in medication administration. Aim: This study aimed to assess the occurrence of medication errors during night shifts in KPK Provincial hospitals and examine the role of nurse–pharmacist collaboration in reducing these errors. Methodology: A quantitative cross-sectional study design was employed in selected private hospitals of KPK. A total of 250 participants, including 150 nurses and 100 pharmacists, were recruited using a convenience sampling technique. Data were collected through a structured self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 26, applying descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. Results: Findings revealed that 41.2% of participants reported medication errors during night shifts. The most common errors included incorrect dosage and improper timing of medication administration. Major contributing factors were staff shortages, heavy workload, fatigue, and communication barriers. A statistically significant association was found between nurse–pharmacist collaboration and reduced medication errors. Conclusion: Drug mistakes in night shifts have been an issue of concern in hospitals. To some extent, the enhancement of nurse-pharmacist cooperation and better staffing and communication can be used to minimize medication errors and improve patient safety.