Table 6.

Multivariable logistic regression model for explanatory factors of medication errors associated with causing possible or probable harm (N = 11,540)

	Reference level	Comparator level	Odds ratio	95% confidence intervals	p-value
Person-related factors
Individual responsible for the medication error	Nurse or midwife	Doctor	0.690	0.618–0.771	< 0.001
	Nurse or midwife	Pharmacist	0.327	0.267–0.401	< 0.001
	Nurse or midwife	Patient or family	0.641	0.472–0.870	0.001
Involvement of patient or family in identifying medication error	No	Yes	0.924	0.789–1.083	0.331
Insufficient counselling of patient	No	Yes	3.511	2.512–4.908	< 0.001
Environment-related factors
Patient movement across transitions of care	No	Yes	1.461	1.190–1.793	0.001
Interruptions	No	Yes	1.432	1.012–2.027	0.043
Covering personnel	No	Yes	1.490	1.113–1.995	0.007
Double and single medication checking	Single checked	Double checked	0.905	0.826–0.991	0.032
Communication-related factors
Misread or unread order	No	Yes	2.411	2.162–2.690	< 0.001
Informal bedside conversations	No	Yes	1.221	1.085–1.373	0.001
Error related to clinical handover	No	Yes	1.559	1.136–2.139	0.006
Error related to prescribing processes using electronic systems	No	Yes	0.580	0.478–0.705	< 0.001
Error related to electronic dispensing processes	No	Yes	0.350	0.199–0.618	0.001
Error related to use of electronic systems to administer the medication	No	Yes	1.214	0.933–1.581	0.149