Abstract
Objective:
To analyze the disclosures of a Brazilian television medium about medication errors in nursing.
Methods:
Documental research based on audiovisual news stories broadcast until December 2016, on the G1 portal and submitted to error type categorization and Bardin's Thematic Content Analysis.
Results:
A total of 14 cases of medication error were analyzed, including 25 news stories. The majority of them occurred in hospitals (n = 12); including children (n = 7) and older adults (n = 6); and leading to death (n = 10). In the qualitative analysis, two thematic categories emerged: (1) Identification of medication errors and Reaction of those (allegedly) involved and (2) Reactions, feelings and attitudes towards medication errors.
Conclusion and implications for practice:
The news stories show the apparent culpability of individuals and do not address the mechanisms and flawed processes that may have triggered errors. Risk management must be associated with academic and professional discussions, with greater public awareness of patient safety.
Keywords:
Medication Errors; Video-Audio Media; Health Personnel; Patient safety