Prevention and Reporting of Medication Errors

The public health problem of death and serious harm resulting from medication errors has gained national attention. Researchers have estimated that almost 50% of drug errors are preventable. An error that reaches the patient is frequently the end result of multiple breakdowns throughout the healthcare system. Preventing errors requires the redesigning of the medical system at all levels to make it safer. Nurses play a key role in the drug administration process and therefore must take an active role in preventing medication errors. Oncology nurses, as members of the healthcare team, must take an active role in addressing the prevention of medication errors.