According to several studies, co-morbid conditions represent a general barrier to medication administration [ 17, 22, 50, 57, 58, 66, 68, 77– 80].
In this model accidents such as intravenous medication administration errors (MAEs) arise when defensive barriers which protect medication administration processes from subversion are compromised.
Box 2 Reason's 21 22 model of accident causation In this model accidents such as intravenous medication administration errors (MAEs) arise when defensive barriers which protect medication administration processes from subversion are compromised.
Medical services included primary medical care, psychiatric assessment, therapy and medication administration.
From 87 medication administration interventions which were given at medical unit, 42 (47.2 %) had medication administration error and also in emergency ward from 12 observed medications, all of it had medication administration error.
Doctors, nurses and counsellors stated that language barriers created difficulties in communicating with caregivers about difficulties regarding medication administration.
For example by ensuring maximum sterile barrier during CVC insertion and appropriate disinfection during intravenous medication administration.
To date, a variety of interventions have been proposed, including: prohibition of non-essential conversation, phone calls and pages 7 8; use of 'Do Not Disturb' vests and signage 9 10; use of a medication administration checklist 9 10; and use of a clearly demarcated 'No Interruption Zone' 11 or physical barrier 12 in medication preparation areas.
This gap in knowledge presents a potential barrier to developing systems-based interventions to support the safety and quality of medication administration.
Adverse patient events are frequently associated with medication administration errors.
