NURSING AND MEDICAL ERRORS: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Several factors may be associated with errors in the administration of medicines by the nursing staff. Among these, excessive workload, stressful environment, flaws in medical prescription and lack of knowledge of nursing staff. The main mistake of medication is associated to the incorrect speed in infusion of medicines. Shows that the errors in the administration of medications happen because of lack of preparation and knowledge of professionals, care, overload of stress caused by the working environment and the lack of communication between the professionals the multidisciplinary team. In Brazil, the medication errors are the cause of death of at least 8000 people per year. The glides or adverse effects caused by the administration of medicines corresponding to 7% of the hospitalizations, equivalent to 840,000 cases per year. A literature review was carried out in order to gather and synthesize the studies on the topic described systematic manner and using the following steps: identification of the theme and selection of the research question; establishment of criteria for inclusion and exclusion; identification of pre-selected and selected studies; categorisation of selected studies; analysis and interpretation of results; presentation of the summary review of knowledge. Has as its aim to investigate the scientific production on errors in the administration of medicines in healthcare practice of nursing staff. Thus, it is believed that the organisation and supervision of medication-related processes, reducing the overload on assistance and the improvement of scientific knowledge and practice of professionals, are some ways to prevent and reduce errors in the administration of medicines.