Keywords

information technology, medication administration, medication errors, patient safety

Authors

1. Ulanimo, Virginia M. MS, RN, CCRN
2. O'Leary-Kelley, Colleen PhD, RN, CCRN
3. Connolly, Phyllis M. PhD, APRN-BC, CS

Abstract

This study describes nurses' perceptions about medication errors and the effects of physician order entry and barcode medication administration on medication errors. A convenience sample of 61 medical-surgical nurses was surveyed. All nurses surveyed perceived that information technology decreases medication errors. However, medication errors continue to occur despite the availability of sophisticated information technology systems.