Knowledge, attitude and practice on medication error reporting among health practitioners in a tertiary care setting in Saudi Arabia

Authors

• Salma L. Alsulami, From the College of Medicine (Alsulami, Sardidi, Almuzaini R, Alsaif, Almuzaini H), from the Department of Medical Education (Moukaddem), King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, and from the Department of Medication Safety (Kharal), National Guard Health Affairs, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• Habibah O. Sardidi, From the College of Medicine (Alsulami, Sardidi, Almuzaini R, Alsaif, Almuzaini H), from the Department of Medical Education (Moukaddem), King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, and from the Department of Medication Safety (Kharal), National Guard Health Affairs, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• Raghad S. Almuzaini, From the College of Medicine (Alsulami, Sardidi, Almuzaini R, Alsaif, Almuzaini H), from the Department of Medical Education (Moukaddem), King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, and from the Department of Medication Safety (Kharal), National Guard Health Affairs, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• Malak A. Alsaif, From the College of Medicine (Alsulami, Sardidi, Almuzaini R, Alsaif, Almuzaini H), from the Department of Medical Education (Moukaddem), King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, and from the Department of Medication Safety (Kharal), National Guard Health Affairs, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• Hanin S. Almuzaini, From the College of Medicine (Alsulami, Sardidi, Almuzaini R, Alsaif, Almuzaini H), from the Department of Medical Education (Moukaddem), King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, and from the Department of Medication Safety (Kharal), National Guard Health Affairs, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• Afaf K. Moukaddem, From the College of Medicine (Alsulami, Sardidi, Almuzaini R, Alsaif, Almuzaini H), from the Department of Medical Education (Moukaddem), King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, and from the Department of Medication Safety (Kharal), National Guard Health Affairs, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• Mubashar S. Kharal, From the College of Medicine (Alsulami, Sardidi, Almuzaini R, Alsaif, Almuzaini H), from the Department of Medical Education (Moukaddem), King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, and from the Department of Medication Safety (Kharal), National Guard Health Affairs, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Objectives: To assess knowledge, attitudes and practices towards the reporting of medication errors among health practitioners at King Abdulaziz Medical city in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire was conducted in a convenient sample of 62 physicians and 303 nurses, between June and September 2017 at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Results: The sample consisted of 365 subjects, with a response rate of 73%. Approximately 97% had sufficient knowledge and a favorable attitude (90%) towards medication error reporting. With regard to reporting practices, some participants (21.6%) preferred to educate those who made a medication error, rather than reporting it. Approximately 44.8% had not reported medication errors during their work experience. Conclusion: Study participants demonstrated a sufficient knowledge base with regard to medication error reporting. Despite sufficient knowledge and favorable attitudes towards medication error reporting, there is still an under-reporting of medication errors when it comes to practice. We recommend the establishment of frequent medication safety courses as a prerequisite for all health care providers. We also advocate the application of error detecting alarms such as digital programs to minimize medication errors.

Article Type

Research Article

First Page

246

Last Page

251

Recommended Citation

Alsulami, Salma L.; Sardidi, Habibah O.; Almuzaini, Raghad S.; Alsaif, Malak A.; Almuzaini, Hanin S.; Moukaddem, Afaf K.; and Kharal, Mubashar S. (2019) "Knowledge, attitude and practice on medication error reporting among health practitioners in a tertiary care setting in Saudi Arabia," Saudi Medical Journal: Vol. 40: Iss. 3, Article 6.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15537/smj.2019.3.23960