Nursing students' perception of medical errors: A cross-sectional study in a university.
AIM
To assess the perception of nursing students on medical errors.


DESIGN
A descriptive cross-sectional survey.


METHOD
Data were collected from March-April 2019 in a university in Ghana from two hundred (200) students using simple random sampling and analysed with SPSS version 21.


RESULTS
Mean age of respondents was 22.64 years. Medication error was perceived as the most common medical errors (MEs; 76%). Negligence was perceived as the most common cause of MEs (80.5%); nurses and doctors (84.5%-89.5%) were considered as staff who make most MEs. Respondents perceived that students commit MEs due to less knowledge about procedures (79%) and inadequate supervision (77%) in the clinical setting.


CONCLUSION
Medication errors were observed as the most common of MEs that can affect patients' safety. Taking prudent measures in addressing this can reduce MEs in health facilities. Enhanced supervision and effective ways of teaching drug administration are recommended.
['Bam|Victoria|V|0000-0003-2780-7579', 'Safowaa|Adwoa|A|', 'Lomotey|Alberta Yemotsoo|AY|0000-0001-9028-1739', 'Nkansah|Abena Safoa|AS|']
D000328:Adult D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies D006801:Humans D008508:Medication Errors D010465:Perception D013338:Students, Nursing D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires D014495:Universities D055815:Young Adult
nursing students perceptions medical errors patient safety