Examining psychosocial risks and their impact on nurses' safety attitudes and medication error rates: A cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION

Employee exposure to specific risks often increases work-related stress, negatively impacting their effectiveness and potentially leading to illnesses, mistakes, or accidents.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to determine the psychosocial risks experienced by nurses in tertiary hospitals and their association with attitudes toward safety and the occurrence of medication errors.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted between September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2023 in four Greek tertiary hospitals (Evangelismos, Nikaia "Agios Panteleimon", University Hospital of Larissa, and "G. Papanikolaou"). The study involved 514 nurses aged 20-67, employed for at least 12 months, fluent in Greek, and completing questionnaires on stress, burnout, and medication errors. The questionnaire used in the study included demographic information of the nursing staff (age, gender, marital status, work experience, and education level), characteristics of the nursing unit (medical, surgical, long-term care unit, Intensive Care Unit), the COPSOQ III (Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire Version III), the HSOPSC (Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture), and the questionnaire for Investigating Nursing Errors in Medication Administration.

RESULTS

Nurses exposed to psychosocial risks, such as bullying and high demands, reported increased medication errors. Supportive work environments with sufficient staffing and collaborative culture significantly mitigated these risks. Factors such as "Staffing" and "Handoffs" partially mediated the relationship between demands and errors. Thus, targeted interventions to reduce bullying and enhance teamwork are essential. Continuous education emerged as crucial for improving safety and performance.

CONCLUSION

The study underscores the necessity of social support, job autonomy, and work-life balance as critical factors in reducing stress and improving the quality of care. Specific strategies are proposed to enhance nurses' mental health and improve working conditions.