The NHS has spoken out about research claiming that nurses in some hospitals are not taking enough care over how they administer medicines.
In early December, a study from the University of East Anglia claimed that out of the 2,129 medicine doses it saw administered in the east of England, 38 per cent contained some kind of error.
Many of these related to tablet-form medications being given to patients who had trouble swallowing.
However, in an article for the Nursing Times, the NHS pointed out that many of the mistakes listed were simple time variations for when doses were given.
It suggests that the actual error margin is closer to ten per cent.
Despite this, the NHS said the research "may be useful in highlighting the need for healthcare professionals to take due care when prescribing and giving drugs to people who may have swallowing problems".
In September, a study at Johns Hopkins University found that temporary staff in hospital accident and emergency departments could be more likely to make mistakes such as not reading pharma labels properly and not speaking up if they suspect a problem than full-time workers.
Denny Bros Ltd, 23 December 2011
