Chronology of medication errors by nurses: accumulation of stresses and PTSD symptoms.

The aim of this research was to examine the influence of medication errors on the mental state of the erring caregiver. In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 erring nurses. The data were analyzed using content analysis. The following categories were identified: "stress, pressure, and inattention," "responsibility," "the double fear," "I might get fired," "he who works, errs," waiting for the inquiry--"every day is like eternity," "absurdly, it got worse with time," and "following the event I learned my lessons." The emotional distress of several subjects was, across time, reminiscent of PTSD symptoms.