Objective:

To analyze medication errors reported in 2018 in a highly complex Chilean public hospital.

Methodology:

Quantitative, retrospective, descriptive and correlational study. The variables sex and age of the patient, month of the incident, type of error, service, stage of the medication process and contributing factors were analyzed.

Results:

The incidents were more frequent in summer months, in female patients over 60 years of age. The most commonly reported errors were incorrect dose, medication and patient. The highest number of notifications were registered in the pharmacy. Errors occurred more frequently in the administration and dispensing stages. Among the contributing factors are inefficient check-up, attrition or work overload, overconfidence, lack of training, and patient confusion.

Conclusion:

Vacation periods concentrate the highest number of medication errors, associated with work overload and lack of training for replacement professionals, whose training must be reinforced.