Research Article

Obstacles to root cause analysis and reporting of medication errors made by nurses: a hospital example

Volume: 6 Number: 5 October 24, 2025
TR EN

Obstacles to root cause analysis and reporting of medication errors made by nurses: a hospital example

Abstract

Aims: This study aimed to identify the types of medication errors experienced or witnessed by nurses during their professional practice and in the past six months. It also sought to determine the individual and institutional barriers to reporting these errors and to identify the root causes through root cause analysis. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between May and July 2025 at a university hospital in Turkiye. A total of 144 nurses working in inpatient clinics and emergency departments were selected using stratified random sampling. Data were collected using a questionnaire developed based on the literature. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the data. Results: Nearly all nurses reported having experienced or witnessed medication administration errors. The most common error types were missed doses and failure to monitor side effects. High workload (81.9%), fatigue (61.8%), and lack of experience (45.8%) were cited as major causes. Only a small portion formally reported these errors. Beliefs that the error was not serious or had no patient impact, and fear of punishment, were significant barriers to reporting (p<0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that such beliefs significantly reduced the likelihood of formal error reporting. Conclusion: Medication errors among nurses are caused by a combination of individual and systemic factors. To improve medication safety, interventions must address staffing, training, supportive culture, and error-reporting systems. Establishing a non-punitive environment is essential for increasing reporting rates and enhancing patient safety.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

NO

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of Ordu University (Date: 21.03.2025, Approval No: 2025/102).

Thanks

No

References

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  2. Aslan Y. Evaluation of medication-related medical error/event notifications according to WHO's International Classification for Patient Safety. J Health Sci Med. 2020;3(1):20-25. doi:10.32322/jhsm.612510
  3. Leahy IC, Lavoie M, Zurakowski D, Baier AW, Brustowicz RM. Medication errors in a pediatric anesthesia setting: Incidence, etiologies, and error reduction strategies. J Clin Anesth. 2018;49:107-111. doi:10. 1016/j.jclinane.2018.05.011
  4. Tariq RA, Vashisht R, Sinha A. Medication dispensing errors and prevention. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing. 2025.
  5. World Health Organization. Medication without harm: WHO global patient safety challenge–policy brief. World Health Organization. 2024. https://www.who.int/initiatives/medication-without-harm
  6. Afolalu OO, Jordan S, Kyriacos U. Medical error reporting among doctors and nurses in a Nigerian hospital: a cross-sectional survey. J Nurs Manag. 2021;29(5):1007-1015. doi:10.1111/jonm.13238
  7. Kellogg KM, Hettinger Z, Shah M, et al. Our current approach to root cause analysis: is it contributing to our failure to improve patient safety? BMJ Qual Saf. 2017;26(5):381-387. doi:10.1136/bmjqs-2016-005991
  8. Driesen BEJM, Baartmans M, Merten H, et al. Root cause analysis using the prevention and recovery information system for monitoring and analysis method in healthcare facilities: a systematic literature review. J Patient Saf. 2022;18(4):342-350. doi:10.1097/PTS.0000000000000925

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Fundamentals of Nursing, Patient Safety

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

October 24, 2025

Submission Date

August 10, 2025

Acceptance Date

September 21, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 6 Number: 5

APA
Kaya, A., & Temiz Marangoz, Y. (2025). Obstacles to root cause analysis and reporting of medication errors made by nurses: a hospital example. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care, 6(5), 511-519. https://doi.org/10.47582/jompac.1762224
AMA
1.Kaya A, Temiz Marangoz Y. Obstacles to root cause analysis and reporting of medication errors made by nurses: a hospital example. J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac. 2025;6(5):511-519. doi:10.47582/jompac.1762224
Chicago
Kaya, Ayten, and Yasemin Temiz Marangoz. 2025. “Obstacles to Root Cause Analysis and Reporting of Medication Errors Made by Nurses: A Hospital Example”. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care 6 (5): 511-19. https://doi.org/10.47582/jompac.1762224.
EndNote
Kaya A, Temiz Marangoz Y (October 1, 2025) Obstacles to root cause analysis and reporting of medication errors made by nurses: a hospital example. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care 6 5 511–519.
IEEE
[1]A. Kaya and Y. Temiz Marangoz, “Obstacles to root cause analysis and reporting of medication errors made by nurses: a hospital example”, J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac, vol. 6, no. 5, pp. 511–519, Oct. 2025, doi: 10.47582/jompac.1762224.
ISNAD
Kaya, Ayten - Temiz Marangoz, Yasemin. “Obstacles to Root Cause Analysis and Reporting of Medication Errors Made by Nurses: A Hospital Example”. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care 6/5 (October 1, 2025): 511-519. https://doi.org/10.47582/jompac.1762224.
JAMA
1.Kaya A, Temiz Marangoz Y. Obstacles to root cause analysis and reporting of medication errors made by nurses: a hospital example. J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac. 2025;6:511–519.
MLA
Kaya, Ayten, and Yasemin Temiz Marangoz. “Obstacles to Root Cause Analysis and Reporting of Medication Errors Made by Nurses: A Hospital Example”. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care, vol. 6, no. 5, Oct. 2025, pp. 511-9, doi:10.47582/jompac.1762224.
Vancouver
1.Ayten Kaya, Yasemin Temiz Marangoz. Obstacles to root cause analysis and reporting of medication errors made by nurses: a hospital example. J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac. 2025 Oct. 1;6(5):511-9. doi:10.47582/jompac.1762224

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Interuniversity Board (UAK) Equivalency: Article published in Ulakbim TR Index journal [10 POINTS], and Article published in other (excuding 1a, b, c) international indexed journal (1d) [5 POINTS]
 


 

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