Safe Injection Practices

The rules regarding parenteral drug administration are universal. Factors such as drug content, inappropriate administration site, incorrect dosage, incorrect dilution, non-sterile conditions, use of improper tools and equipment, practitioner’s insufficient technical knowledge and skills and patient-related characteristics play a role in incidence of adverse effects. In addition, needle stick injury cases are frequent in healthcare professionals after drug administration by injection. While a patient is expecting to get better, errors made in administration of drugs may cause emergence of iatrogenic conditions and injuries, incidence of negative conditions, even negative consequences up to death of the patient. Also, these medical errors expose nurses to legal responsibilities under the the law. To prevent the medical errors related to injections, regular training of health care personnel to develop appropriate knowledge, skills and attitudes about injection-related drug administration errors, following new developments in the field, carrying out interventions that are proved with scientific research, that are acceptable for institutions and patients, and that has evidence base, encouraging report of errors and creating a culture of patient safety are essential.