News Room

SAN MATEO, CALIF., April 17, 2007

Survey Reveals Nurses’ Concerns about Patient Safety and Their Career Choice

WHAT: A recent nationwide survey of 5071 nurses found that respondents were concerned about patient safety and medical errors, but believe that new technologies such as electronic medical records (EMRs) and clinical information on mobile devices (PDAs and smartphones) may have a positive impact on the quality of healthcare. Nurses also provided candid insight on their career choice and level of respect received from patients and other healthcare professionals.

The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP), a non-profit organization, and Epocrates, Inc. conducted the survey to better understand nurses’ perceptions of the healthcare industry and the challenges they face.

Key Findings:

  • Stronger Focus Needed on Patient Care – Nurses who participated in the survey believed human error and handwriting contribute the most to medical errors. Bedside bar code scanning of drugs and computerized order entry for prescribing drugs topped the nurses’ list of ways to improve patient safety. More than half of nurses indicated that handheld clinical references help them avoid two or more medical errors and adverse drug events per week.Plus, nearly 80 percent of nurses expect to be utilizing EMRs within the next three years, which could potentially improve efficiencies and patient care.
  • Challenges Ahead for the U.S. Healthcare System – Responding nurses believed the two most significant challenges facing healthcare are insufficient staffing and resources and lack of time with patients. Contributing to time restraints, 65 percent of the nurses surveyed report spending more time on administrative duties today than they did three years ago. More than 50 percent of the survey respondents indicated they expect the healthcare system to worsen within the next five years.
  • Nurses Have Few Regrets and Seek Respect – More than 85 percent of nurses surveyed stand by their career choice however, poor compensation, high stress and internal politics cause regrets for some. Most respondents feel that patients respect them the most, while medical students are perceived to demonstrate the least amount of respect. Similar to medical students,2 the nurses surveyed chose their career based on their desire to help people and interest in medicine and science.

ppt View an overview of the survey results.

1The survey has a margin of error +/- 4%.
2Future Physician’s of America survey, Epocrates and Gerson Lehrman 2005.


CONTACT:

Erica Sniad Morgenstern
Epocrates Public Relations
PHONE: (650) 227-6907
E-MAIL: pr@epocrates.com
WEB: www.epocrates.com

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