The problems RNs experienced in
administering were related to patients, medicines, medicine
equipment, course of action, and environment. Patient-related
problems come up when a patient refuses or is unable to take
medication. For instance, a patient may refuse to take generic
substances and desire medicines with specific brands; or
they may have swallowing problems. Additionally, a high
turnover of patients was experienced as problematic and
possibly a leading cause for the medicine-related problems
experienced, such as administration to a wrong patient.
The medicine devices were dysfunctional from the RNs’
perspective. For instance, medicine cups tip over easily,
especially when having a high amount of medicines in them.
In addition, the inability to recheck or verify medicines in
patients’ rooms was also problematic. RNs thought it would
be convenient to be able to check medicines regardless of
time or place, as the following