Medication errors may occur at any stage of prescribing, demonstrating, dispensing, preparation and administration. Medication errors can contribute to morbidity, mortality and increased health care cost. The
aims of this study was to find the causes of medication errors, perceptions of staff nurses towards medication errors and identify the difference between I.C.Us and ward nurses with regard to perception of medication error in the selected units of Dr. R.M.L hospital. Quantitative Cross-sectional survey approach was selected. All the registered nurses who were working in the medical, surgical, paediatric ward and I.C.Us of
Dr. R.M.L hospital and fulfilling the inclusion criteria were enrolled for this study. Non probability convenient sampling was done and 100 staff nurses were enrolled for study. Study results found that participants from the selected units of Dr R.M.L. Hospital are aware about the causes of medication errors and majority of them have a common view about reporting medication errors i.e. it has to be reported to the nurse manager but there was no incidental report or any other written document exists with the Nurse Manager indicating occurrence of medication errors.
Keywords: Medication errors; Morbidity; Mortality.