Investigating pediatric nurses’ perceptions of factors contributing to MAEs at Yendi hospital, Ghana

Medication administration errors (MAEs) are a critical concern in pediatric healthcare, contributing to adverse drug events (ADEs) and negatively impacting patient health.

This study explores pediatric nurses’ perceptions of factors contributing to MAEs at Yendi Municipal Hospital to develop interventions enhancing patient safety.

A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 143 nurses at Yendi Municipal Hospital using structured questionnaires. Data were analysed using SPSS 26.0 and Excel 2016. Bivariate analysis examined relationships between socio-demographic characteristics and MAEs.

Contributing factors to MAEs included inadequate training (91.6%), misunderstanding medical abbreviations (88.8%), poor supervision (92.3%), eagerness to sign out shifts (70.6%), improper handover (88.8%), inadequate staff (77.6%), dosage miscalculations (83.9%), and illegible handwriting (81.8%). Significant associations were found between MAEs and the type of unit/ward (X²=6.25, p = 0.012) and educational level (Fisher Exact test = 4.20, p = 0.036).

Inadequate training, poor supervision, and communication issues are major contributors to MAEs in pediatric settings. Targeted interventions can significantly improve patient safety and care quality.