Pediatric nurses' experiences of implementing the ‘ten right principles’ in safe medication management: A descriptive phenomenological study

In medication management, the ten right principles framework is an accepted global nursing standard and an important component of medication safety. Especially pediatric patients have a higher risk of harm in medication administration compared to adults. This study aimed to examine the experiences of pediatric nurses in implementing the ten right principles in safe medication management. A descriptive phenomenological approach was used in this study. The study was conducted with 16 pediatric nurses in a public hospital's Pediatric Service and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Pediatric nurses' medication practices were observed, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with the nurses after the observation. Observations were conducted using an observation tool, and interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview form. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. In this study, it was observed that although pediatric nurses generally adhered to the ten right principles, they had the most difficulties with the right dose and time principles. As a result of the interviews conducted after the observation, two themes (factors facilitating the implementation of the ten right principles and difficulties in implementing the ten right principles) were formed. The findings revealed that pediatric nurses achieved safe and effective medication administration and generally adhered to the ten right principles. This study highlights the positive contribution of pediatric nurses to patient safety by using multiple sources of information and clinical reasoning strategies despite the difficulties they experience in drug administration. •Pediatric nurses generally adhere to the ten right principles.•Pediatric nurses have the most difficulties with right dose and time principles.•Pediatric nurses achieve safe and effective medication administration.•Pediatric nurses use sources of information and clinical reasoning strategies.