The results of healthcare professionals’ knowledge about high alert medication

Abstract

Background: There are several research studies shown that medication errors occur once a day among hospitalized patients. About 80% of all deaths caused by medication errors are caused by high alert medication error. The lack of knowledge of a healthcare professional is one of the leading causes of medication errors. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate and compare healthcare professionals’ knowledge of high alert medication. Materials and Methods: In this a cross-sectional questionnaire study was participated total of 781 health professionals (doctors, nurses, and pharmacists) working in specialized referral hospitals and province and district hospitals. Results: 347 doctors (44.4%), 389 nurses (49.8%), and 45 pharmacists (5.8%) participated in the study. 461 (59%) of the total participants had insufÏcient knowledge about high alert medications. There were significant differences in knowledge about high alert medication depending on the profession, professional degree, department, and work schedule (p< 0.05). Only 248 (31.8%) of the respondents attended in high alert medications training, indicating the need for training and information about high alert medications. Conclusion: Medical professionals’ knowledge of high alert medications was insufÏcient. Compared to pharmacists, doctors and nurses had less knowledge about high alert medications. It shows that the need for improved education and training in this area to reduce medication errors and improve patient safety.