Nurcan Kirca1, Mustafa Levent Ozgonul2, Kerime Bademli3. 1. Department of Obstetrics & Gynecological Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey. 2. Department of History of Medicine and Ethics, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey. 3. Department of Psychiatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey.
Abstract
AIM: The aim of this descriptive study is to determine the relationship between competencies and attitudes of nurses in medical errors. BACKGROUND: The level of competence of nurses directly affects the patient's safety, health status, morbidity and mortality rates, and satisfaction with nursing care. Nurses are expected to demonstrate a high level of competence in fulfilling their duties and responsibilities and thus to minimize the incidence of medical errors. METHODS: This study was carried out with nurses (n = 243) working in a university hospital in Turkey between May and July 2019. A personal information form, the Nurse Competence Scale and the Medical Errors Attitude Scale were used in the collection of data. RESULTS: A relationship was found between the competence of nurses and their attitudes in medical errors. It appeared that the work role subscale had the highest mean score (48.76 ± 6.83) according to the Nurse Competence Scale subscales. The mean scores of the diagnostic functions and ensuring quality subscales of the scale were found to be low. While the mean scores of the Medical Errors Attitude Scale of the nurses were close to each other, the highest mean score was found in the subscale of approach to medical errors (3.94 ± 0.35). CONCLUSION: The nurses had a modest level of competence and their attitudes towards medical errors were positive. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: It is necessary that the competence of nurses is increased. Increasing their competence will also increase their awareness on medical error attitudes.
AIM: The aim of this descriptive study is to determine the relationship between competencies and attitudes of nurses in medical errors. BACKGROUND: The level of competence of nurses directly affects the patient's safety, health status, morbidity and mortality rates, and satisfaction with nursing care. Nurses are expected to demonstrate a high level of competence in fulfilling their duties and responsibilities and thus to minimize the incidence of medical errors. METHODS: This study was carried out with nurses (n = 243) working in a university hospital in Turkey between May and July 2019. A personal information form, the Nurse Competence Scale and the Medical Errors Attitude Scale were used in the collection of data. RESULTS: A relationship was found between the competence of nurses and their attitudes in medical errors. It appeared that the work role subscale had the highest mean score (48.76 ± 6.83) according to the Nurse Competence Scale subscales. The mean scores of the diagnostic functions and ensuring quality subscales of the scale were found to be low. While the mean scores of the Medical Errors Attitude Scale of the nurses were close to each other, the highest mean score was found in the subscale of approach to medical errors (3.94 ± 0.35). CONCLUSION: The nurses had a modest level of competence and their attitudes towards medical errors were positive. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: It is necessary that the competence of nurses is increased. Increasing their competence will also increase their awareness on medical error attitudes.