Relationship between Risk Factors Related Medical Errors and Working Conditions of Nurses in Acute Care Settings

Abstract

This study was carried out to specify risk factors related medical errors and mistakes in working conditions of nurses. Data on the working conditions, job-related stresses, medical errors, and mistakes of 1,339 nurses in 6 teaching hospitals were collected using questionnaire. The logistic regression analysis was used to obtain quantitative relationship between risk factors related medical errors and working conditions. It was found that the stress factors of "over working time," "break time," "job demand," "job control," "job suitability," "job satisfaction," "physical stress," "mental stress," and "fatigue" were concerned with medical errors and mistakes. The result implied that the improvement of working conditions of nurses was needed and so that appropriate nurses staffing was discussed for keeping patient safety.