This literature review examines the evidence relating to the causes of medication administration errors and methods to reduce such errors. The main causes of medication administration errors were identified as person-centred factors, such as lack of calculation competency and poor adherence to protocol, and underlying system factors, such as distractions and time pressures. A combined approach, addressing all of these issues, is needed to minimise such errors.
Nursing Standard. 23, 50, 40-46. doi: 10.7748/ns2009.08.23.50.40.c7213
Correspondence Peer reviewThis article has been subject to double blind peer review
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