Searching for the Final Answer: Factors Contributing to Medication Administration Errors

Abstract

Medication errors have reached epidemic proportions in the United States with proposed resolutions having little effect. Many errors go unreported because of nurses' fear of retaliation. Yet these unreported errors may contain the very information needed to uncover system flaws. Until all causes are examined and researched thoroughly, systems will continue to fail. These unknown factors contributing to medication errors will remain elusive unless health care providers are willing and able to focus attention where it is needed-on systems rather than individuals. Patients have enough fears when entering health care institutions; medication errors should not be one of them.