The Impact of Medication Safety Education on Perception of Medication Errors, Knowledge, and Intravenous Medication Practice Among Palestinian Critical Care Nurses

Abstract

This study was carried out as quasi experimental one group pretest posttest study to measure the impact of medication safety educational program on perception of medication errors, knowledge, and intravenous medication practices among Palestinian critical care nurses. The study population was selected among the nurses who are working at the Palestine Medical Complex /Ramallah/ Palestine. Sample of the study consisted of 52 nurses who were working at the general Intensive Care Unit, Surgical Intensive care unit and the Coronary Care Unit. The study was conducted between April 27 and August 10, 2014. The Gladstone survey, knowledge determination form and Practical Observation Form were both utilized as data collection tools to measure nurses' knowledge, and perception of safety medication administration. Nurses were educated parallel to the booklet on safe medication administration developed by researcher. Nurses were evaluated by data collection forms prior and after the educational session. Data was analyzed using SPSS Inc., version 18 software package. Descriptive statistics, McNemar’s test, and chi squared tests were used to evaluate the data. Research findings revealed that there were significant improvements in knowledge and practices of nurses on the intravenous medication administration; while perceptions of nurses on medication errors were not changed as result of the education program. Based on the results of the study, implementation and dissemination of comprehensive, systematic, and continuous educational programs in order to enhance the knowledge, practices and perceptions of nurse’s on intravenous medication administration practices was recommended.