Abstract:

On the rational use of medicines in hospitals, nurses have an important role. Aim: The aim of this study is to examine the knowledge and behaviors related to rational drug use among the nurse working at a public hospital in central Kirikkale province and to determine the factors that influence the behavior of rational drug use. Method: The sample was not selected in the study and the study questionnaire was applied to all the nurses who want to participate in the survey, and have obtained a total of 296 usable questionnaries. In this way, 67.1% of the study universe (441) has been reached. Descriptive statistics and chi-square test were used for analysis of the data. Results: According to the results obtained in the study, nurse refer to physician-pharmacist (78. 7%) and drug resource books (48%) for the information about drugs and their most frequently encountered medication errors were drugs given at the wrong time (47.6%) and skipping the medication dosages (46.3%). According to chi-square test results, working unit and vocational training were determined to be important factors influencing the attitudes and behaviors of nurse related to rational drug use (p < .05). Conclusion: On rational consumption of medicines in hospitals nurse are aware of their responsibilities, but as a whole, rational drug use and especially on the subject of the adverse effects notification that the training needs have been identified

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