Zayed Alsulami and colleagues report on the results of a study to explore the understanding and perceptions of checking procedures by clinicians working in a children’s hospital

This study aimed to evaluate nurses’ knowledge, perceptions and opinions of double-checking medication administration in a UK children’s hospital. Of 119 questionnaires distributed, 48 were returned. Only 30 respondents had seen a written version of the hospital double-checking policy. More than half stated that they had not received formal training in double-checking medications. Of 35 nurses providing a definition of double-checking, one gave a response that reflected hospital policy. Most respondents thought that staffing, workloads and interruptions affected adherence to double-checking; 15 reported that double-checking was easier to do at night; and the results suggested that lack of knowledge and of clear guidelines contributed to medication errors.