CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Medication errors are a leading cause of death globally; with the burden on resource-limited countries more than double that in high-income countries (Global Health Economics and Sustainability., 2024)

Many individuals rarely consider the prospect of medical errors in their everyday existence. Unless directly experiencing the repercussions of a medical mistake, the notion that it could affect one’s life might appear distant (Healthfulhelps.com., 2024)

Medication errors and adverse drug events are universal problems contributing to patient harm but the magnitude of these problems in Africa remains unclear (Drug-real world outcome., 2018)

A medical error is a preventable adverse effect (PAE) of care, whether or not it is evident or harmful to the patient. This might include an inaccurate or incomplete diagnosis or treatment of a disease, injury, syndrome, behavior, infection, or another ailment. Medical error is a silent killer and it contributes greatly to the public health problems in Cameroon.

There is paucity of data and effective strategies that can be put in order to prevent and control medical errors in Cameroon. Lack of data and policies is restraining the development of evidence-based strategies and relevant effective solutions for improving patient safety and quality of care in Cameroon. This event shall help the health sector to be aware of the impact of medication errors on patient’s safety and what policies can the government put in place to effectively prevent and control medication errors in Cameroon (nkafu.org., 2018)

Understanding the causes of medication errors is essential in the error prevention and management. Usually, there is no single cause for the medication error; rather, the causes are multiple. The medication errors are caused often by the interactions of active failures of individuals and latent conditions within an organization (Teinila et al., 2011).

Medication errors pose a significant threat to patient safety and can result in serious harm or even death. Nurses play a crucial role in the medication administration process and their action can greatly influence the occurrence of medication errors and implementing preventive measure are essential for improving patient care and reducing the incidence of medication errors.

1.2 Statement of the problem

Optimal delivery of safe healthcare is recognized as a global challenge The World Health Organization(WHO) accepts that this challenge is compounded by an aging population, complex medical needs and the substantial increase in availability and use of medications , as the most frequently used treatments in healthcare  are associated with a higher incidence of adverse events than other interventions and they remain one of the most common causes of accidental harm to consumers; costing an estimated US$ 42 billion annually (Ogungeye et el., 2016)

Medication errors are some of the major factors that contribute to poor patient outcomes. These errors often arise from the lack of sufficient knowledge and experience on the part of nurses, resulting in inappropriate diagnosis and, consequently, wrong prescription of treatment. Some of the negative effects associated with medication errors include prolonged hospital stay, dissatisfaction with the quality of care, development of comorbidities, and higher rates of readmission. These outcomes seriously impact the patients’ quality of life, create pressure on scarce healthcare facilities (for example, readmissions), and increase the cost of medical care. In the context of worsening nurse shortage and high levels of patient acuity, it is necessary to minimize medication errors as a means of improving patient outcomes (ivypanda.com., 2022)

Given the significant impact of medication errors on patient safety and the overall quality of care, this study aims to comprehensively assess the occurrence, causes, and potential preventive measures of these errors among nurses in Nkwen District Hospital. Therefore, this is to assess the occurrences, causes and preventive measures of medication among nurses at the Nkwen District Hospital.

1.3 Significance of the study

To the nurse: this study will help nurses to know their short comings concerning medication errors and in turn will help improve the quality of patient care by nurses

To the patients: This study will help improve the quality-of-care patient care by nurses and also reduce the risk of nosocomial infection.

To the administrator: this study will enhance policy and decision making on effective prescription, efficient administration of medication and effective management of medication errors

To the researcher: this study will serve as a baseline for further research and also improve the knowledge on medication error and how to prevent them

1.4 Research questions

1.4.1 Main research question

What are the occurrences, causes, and preventive measures of medication errors at Nkwen District Hospital?

1. 4.2 Specific research questions
2. What are the common medications errors that occur among nurses at the Nkwen District Hospital?
3. What are the causes of medication errors among nurses at Nkwen District Hospital?
4. What preventive measures can be put in place for those medication errors by the nurses at the Nkwen District Hospital?

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