Introduction
Research, according to Burns and Grove (2011), means to examine carefully. In essence, it is a diligent, systematic study, which refines or validates existing knowledge or develops new knowledge. Planning, organization and persistence are the key underpinnings of a diligent and systematic study. The main objective of nursing research is to develop an empirical body of knowledge for this profession. In addition, Burns and Grove (2011) contend that reading and critiquing research studies requires learning of new terms, understanding the steps of the research process and applying a variety of analytical skills. This paper critiques a study conducted by Karavasiliadou and Athanasakis (2014), which sought to evaluate causative factors at the individual and organizational levels.
Problem Statement
In this study, the researchers sought to review the organizational and individual that contribute to medication errors. Despite heightened efforts to eliminate medication errors particularly in the nursing practice, cases of this problem are still high. In line with this, the researchers sought to evaluate causative factors at the individual and organizational levels. The problem statement is thus clear; this would lead to the illustration of possible causative factors that must be addressed if cases of medication errors are expected to reduce.
Therefore, understanding the factors that may cause a nurse to encounter a medication error either because of individual or organizational reasons will be essential in addressing this challenge. Understanding the etiology of medication errors will allow for the enactment of preventive procedures. These aspects have been clearly spelt out to the readers.
Purpose and Research Questions
The purpose of this study was to review latest literatures related to organizational and individual factors that contribute to the occurrence of medication errors in clinical nursing.
In their method, they noted that they conducted an online search for medication errors, etiology, risk or contributing factors. The focus was on factors related to the organization and the individual’s factors (Karavasiliadou & Athanasakis, 2014).
It is evident that the purpose and research questions are related to the problem. The authors conducted an analysis of various journal articles addressing medication errors. Thus, the qualitative methods used were appropriate to answer the research questions.
Literature Review
Up to date from the thirteen selected articles provided analyses of various individual and organizational factors contribute to medication errors. Following this search, the researchers came up with a taxonomy of the frequent factors that had been reported as the causes of medication errors.
On the account of individual factors, five subcategories were highlighted. They include medication dosology miscalculation, misreading of labels on medication packages, miscommunication, personal neglect, non-adherence on the proper steps of medication preparation, nurses exhaustion, problems with physician’s prescriptions, and difficulties in using diffusion devices (Karavasiliadou & Athanasakis, 2014).
Likewise, on the account of organizational factors, subcategories that were identified include disruptions, high nurse-patient ratio, heavy workload, new staffs and medication related topics (Karavasiliadou & Athanasakis, 2014).
It was also clear that individual errors outnumbered organizational errors.
The literature review included adequate information necessary for building a logical argument. It is evident that the arguments that the authors develop with respect to organizational and individual factors that cause medication errors were developed from the literature reviews.
Conceptual / Theoretical Framework
References
Burns, N., & Grove, S. (2011). Understanding Nursing Research (5th ed.). Elsevier. ISBN- 13: 9781437707502
Karavasiliadou, S., and Athanasakis, E. (2014). An Inside Look into the Factors Contributing to Medication Errors in the Clinical Nursing Practice. Health Science Journal, 8(1), 32- 44.
