2007 Study of Injectable Medication Errors: A Survey of Medication Error Prevention
The 2007 Study of Injectable Medication Errors gathered opinions of 1,039 U.S. nurses about errors related to injectable medications and syringe labeling. The independent research, sponsored by the American Nurses Association (ANA) and Inviro Medical Devices, reveals that 93% of nurses believe an integral label on a syringe would encourage injectable medication error prevention, and two-thirds (68%) believe medication administration errors could be reduced with more consistent syringe labeling.
Grave concern about medication administration errors
The overwhelming majority of U.S. nurses (97%) worry about medication administration errors, and nearly all (99%) believe there is a grave risk to patients if errors occurred.
Significant challenges with syringe labeling
U.S. nurses reveal challenges for medication error prevention associated with labeling syringes…
- Label covers gradations on syringe barrel
- Lack of suitable label
- Label impairs ability to check dose and compare to order
- Label makes syringe hard to handle
- Label detaches from syringe
- Lack of suitable writing instrument
- Label creates difficulties if syringe needs to be administered through IV line or attached to pump
Why injectable medication administration errors occur
44% of U.S. nurses use injectable medication more than five times per shift. The most common factors that contribute to injectable medication administration errors are:
- Too rushed / busy environment
- Poor / illegible handwriting
- Missed or mistaken physician’s orders
- Working with too many medications
- Similar drug names or medication appearance
Syringe labeling practices
The nearly three-quarters (72%) of U.S. nurses who do label syringes for medication error prevention do so by writing on:
Self-adhesive labels then apply to syringe- Piece of tape and adhere to syringe
- Directly on syringe using Sharpie®
- On paper or sticky note and tape to syringe
Occurrence of medication administration errors
Medication administration errors are most likely to occur during:
Preparation and administration of medication- Transcription of initial order
- Ordering from pharmacy
- Storage in department
Major benefits of a write-on stripe
According to nurses nationwide, the major benefits of a write-on stripe, which allow critical information to be recorded directly onto the syringe barrel, are:
- Does not interfere with visibility of syringe content or gradations on syringe barrel
- Medication error prevention
- Addresses Joint Commission’s requirement for medication labeling
- Saves time
- Improves productivity
- Provides consistent template for applying pre-printed adhesive labels
- Eliminates need for self adhesive labels or tape
Nurses recommend syringe design improvements
The majority of nurses would improve a syringe design for medication error prevention with…
Safety syringe preference
81% of nurses nationwide, working in facilities where safety syringes are used in most departments, report never being injured on the job.
Preferred types of safety syringes are:
- Manually retractable
- Retro-fitted
- Automatically retractable
About the survey
Conducted in April, the 2007 Study of Injectable Medication Errors is based on an online, nationwide survey of U.S. nurses who evaluated medication error prevention and occurrence. Of the 1,039 participants, 22% of those surveyed have been a nurse one to five years; 12% have been nurses for six to ten years; 15% have been nurses for 11 to 15 years; and 51% have been nurses for more than 15 years. 94% of respondents were female and 6% were male. The survey’s margin of error is plus or minus 3%. The research was conducted by Atlanta based Arketi Group and sponsored by American Nurses Association (ANA) and Inviro Medical Devices. Learn more about medication error prevention on our website.