Background: Medication errors are among the major challenges in healthcare systems, potentially leading to increased adverse events, longer hospital stays, and higher healthcare costs. Nurses, as the primary providers of medication administration, play a key role in preventing these errors. Their awareness, attitudes, and practices regarding medication safety can directly influence the reduction of medication errors. This study aimed to assess nurses’ awareness and attitudes toward preventing medication errors in hospital inpatient wards.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 120 nurses working in the internal medicine and surgery wards of Shiraz University Teaching Hospital. Participants were recruited using convenience sampling. Data were collected using a standardized questionnaire, including demographic information, awareness of medication safety principles, and attitudes toward reporting medication errors. Data analysis was performed using descriptive and inferential statistical tests.
Results: The findings indicated that nurses’ awareness scores were at a moderate-to-high level, while attitudes toward reporting medication errors were negative in some cases. A significant relationship was observed between work experience and awareness level, whereas no significant difference was found between gender and attitude. Nurses who had completed medication safety training courses demonstrated more positive attitudes toward error prevention and reporting.
Conclusion: Considering the critical role of nurses in patient safety, enhancing continuous education and fostering a supportive culture for reporting medication errors are essential. Strengthening these factors can effectively reduce medication errors and improve the quality of patient care.