Table 7 The possible cause of medication error among patients admitted to the emergency ward at UoGCSH

Patient factors

Frequency (%)

Frequency (%)

Cognitive factors

(N = 34)

Perception/understanding

25 (73.53)

Knowledge based/problem solving

9 (26.47)

Failure to synthesize/ act on available information

2 (22.22)

Problem with complexity

7 (77.78)

Performance factors (N = 1)

Technical error in execution (physical-skill based)

1 (100)

Lapse error

1 (100)

Behavior factors (N = 8)

Attention issues

6 (75)

Distraction/Inattention

1

Absent mindedness

5

Fatigue/exhaustion

2 (25)

Communication factors (N = 35)

Communication method

29 (82.85)

Verbal communication

29 (82.85)

Communication with staff

6 (17.15)

Disease related factors (N = 2)

International classification of disease

2 (100)

Emotional factors (N = 7)

–

7 (100)

Social factors (N = 30)

–

30 (100)

Staff factors

Frequency (%)

Frequency (%)

Cognitive factor (N = 99)

Perception/understanding

7 (7.07)

Knowledge based/problem solving

75 (75.75)

Failure to synthesize/act on available information

66 (88)

Problems with causality

2 (2.67)

Problems with complexity

7 (9.33)

Illusory correlation

3 (3.03)

Halo effect

14 (14.14)

Performance factors (N = 111)

Technical error in execution (physical-skill based)

90 (81.08)

Slips error

22 (24.44)

lapse error

68 (75.56)

Rule based

3 (2.7)

Misapplication of good rules

2 (66.67)

Application of bad rules

1 (33.33)

Selectivity

3 (2.7)

Biased reviewing

15 (13.51)

Behavioral factors (N = 150)

Attention issues

50 (33.33)

Distraction/inattention

33 (66)

Absent-mindedness

16 (32)

Over attention

1 (2)

Fatigue/exhaustion

40 (26.67)

Overconfidence

1 (0.67)

Non-compliance

55 (36.67)

Communication factors (N = 58)

Communication method

47 (81.03)

Paper based

39 (82.97)

Electronic

1 (2.13)

Verbal

7 (14.89)

Communication with staff

3 (5.17)

Communication with patients

8 (13.80)

Organizational factors (N = 82)

Organization of teams

25(100)

Resources or workload

57(100)

External factors (N = 1)

Products, technology or infrastructure

1(100)