Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Nurses towards Errors Associated with Intravenous Medication Administration in Pediatric Hospital- Omdurman Medical Corps- Khartoum State, Sudan

Medication error (ME) define mission, un authorized, wrong dose, wrong route, wrong rate, wrong dosage form, wrong time, wrong preparation and incorrect administration technique Intravenous medications have saved the lives of millions of patients. However, partly because of the huge number of doses and the number of different medications given daily, errors in IV medication administration still represent a significant health care problem in Sudan today. The most frequent. Intravenous medication administrations errors were wrong dose, wrong time and omission dose. This descriptive hospital based study was conducted among nurses staff in pediatric hospital aimed at assessing the knowledge and attitude of nurses towards errors associated with pre-during and post administration of intravenous medication and to identify the most common mistakes regarding the preparation of intravenous medication at Omdurman Military Hospital, Khartoum State, Sudan during the period from (April to July 2013). For the purposes of this study the primary data was collected using observational check list designed from general guideline of the pre, during and after administration of intravenous medication, and also self administer questionnaire. The sample of this study consisted of 100 nurses from both males and females. Secondary data was obtained from references, books, previous studies and from the internet. Collected data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) programs and results were presented in frequencies and percentages tables and figures. Results showed that 48 % of nurses working for more than one shift, (74 %) stated that only one nurse is responsible for more than 4 patients, is a good a continuous communication with physicians (96 %), there is no errors in administration intravenous medications (82 %). The study concluded that the majority of respondents nurses had a good knowledge about errors associated with pre administration of intravenous medication, but their attitude towards intravenous pre, during and post administration is negative, in addition the practice of nurses is poor specially when regarding during and post administration instructions or guides. The study recommended that intensive regular awareness training programs should be held for nursing staff to prevent intravenous administration errors, the label on any drugs ampoule or syringe should be read carefully before a drug is drawn up or injected.