/library/oar/handle/123456789/318 Thu, 28 May 2026 11:18:13 GMT 2026-05-28T11:18:13Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/146593 Title: Exploring nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of medication errors in a general hospital in Malta – a cross-sectional survey Authors: Schiavone, Natalya; Scicluna Ward, Corinne Abstract: Background: Medication errors (MEs) continue to pose a significant risk to patient safety despite established safety measures. Nurses are central to administering medications, and their knowledge, experience, and work environment influence both the likelihood of errors and whether they are reported. This study explored nurses’ perspectives on MEs, reporting practices, and barriers to reporting in a general hospital in Malta. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted using an anonymous online questionnaire informed by the Theory of Planned Behaviour. Of the 429 nurses invited, 301 completed the survey (response rate 70.2%). The questionnaire addressed the prevalence of MEs, reporting behaviours, knowledge of medications, perceived contributing factors, and attitudes towards reporting. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. Results: Most nurses (88%, n = 265/301) reported having made at least one medication error. Reporting was inconsistent: 54% (n = 163/301) had never reported an error, 35% (n = 105/301) reported some, and only 11.6% (n = 35/301) reported all incidents. The area of work was significantly linked to perceived barriers and reporting behaviour. Nurses in reliever pools (92.6%), medical wards (89.9%), and surgical wards (79.7%) were more likely to feel concerns or barriers about reporting. Reporting practices also varied by area, with lower reporting in paediatric (36.8%) and orthopaedic wards (44.0%) and higher reporting in reliever pools (67.9%). While most nurses valued reporting (89%, n = 268/301), only 34% (n = 102/301) would report errors causing no harm, and 78% (n = 235/301) were reluctant to report colleagues. Conclusions: The findings reveal that MEs are common and underreported. Knowledge gaps, communication challenges, and systemic issues such as staffing shortages create barriers to safe medication management. Fear of repercussions further discourages reporting, highlighting the need for supportive, transparent practices. Hospitals should foster a non-punitive reporting culture, strengthen training, and improve interprofessional communication. Addressing these challenges can reduce medication errors and enhance patient safety and care quality. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT /library/oar/handle/123456789/146593 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/145515 Title: Nursing decision-making for health policies during the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe : the ENVISION study Authors: Clari, Marco; Conti, Alessio; Berthelsen, Connie; Bieber, Anja; Brajshori, Naime; Henriques, Adriana; Huber, Claudia; Kane, Ros; Kyranou, Maria; Lethin, Connie; Sammut, Roberta; Velonaki, Venetia Sofia; Vrbnjak, Dominika; Wiisak, Johanna; Zabalegui, Adelaida; Albanesi, Beatrice; Casabona, Elena; Riva-Rovedda, Federica; Ingerslev Loft, Mia; Sixtus Jensen, Claus; Suhonen, Riitta; Meyer, Gabriele; Karavani, Nikoletta; Costa, Andreia; Pajnkihar, Majda; Romih, Gregor; Alite Cerezuela, Paula; Vizcaya-Moreno, M. Flores; Bökberg, Christina; Hofstetter-Hefti, Gabriela; Cooke, Samuel Abstract: Background: The participation of nurse leaders in decision-making has been described as vital for healthcare organisations. However, their involvement in health policy-making is still suboptimal and their contribution is frequently unnoticed. This study aimed to understand the contribution of nurse leaders in decision and policy-making during the COVID-19 pandemic to inform future health crisis management.; Methods: A qualitative study using a thematic approach was carried out together with the European Academy of Nursing Science between January 2022 to December 2023.; Findings: 74 nurse leaders from 14 different European countries were interviewed. During COVID-19 pandemic, nurse leaders contributed to redesign nursing care delivery, opening COVID wards, designing vaccination units, and readapting nursing students’ curricula. Nurse leaders addressed the uncertainty through shared decision-making, based on real-time knowledge and available evidence. Self-confidence, empathy, and the ability to adapt to a changing situation were considered essential to fulfil their professional duties. Due to the lack of effective ready-made solutions, nurse leaders were concerned about the consequences of their decisions throughout the pandemic, generating feelings of anxiety and uncertainty.; Conclusion: The pandemic made the role and competence of nurse leaders more visible, highlighting the importance of their contribution to healthcare systems.; Implications for nursing and nursing policy: The results of this study highlight the urgent need for healthcare systems to improve their preparedness for future health crises. Moreover, due to the fundamental contribution that nurse leaders had on the management of the pandemic, from clinical to educational settings, the position of nurse leaders in decision-making processes must be strengthened. Description: Supplementary ¸£ÀûÔÚÏßÃâ·Ñ is available within this record. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT /library/oar/handle/123456789/145515 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/145514 Title: Diabetes educational interventions in care homes : a scoping review Authors: Walker, Kathie-Anne; Craig, Stephanie; Anderson, Tara; Stark, Patrick; Brown Wilson, Christine; Carter, Gillian; McEvoy, Claire; Creighton, Laura; Henderson, Elizabeth; Porter, Shannon; Alhalaiqa, Fadwa; Ferranti, Erin; Patel Murali, Komal; Zheng, Yaguang; Sammut, Roberta; Shaban, Marwa Mamdouh; Tam, Hon Lon; Buzás, Norbert; Leidl, Don; Mitchell, Gary Abstract: Background: Diabetes affects approximately 10.5% of the global adult population and is more prevalent in care homes due to residents’ advanced age and multimorbidity. Effective diabetes management in these settings is essential to prevent complications and maintain quality of life, yet evidence addressing the specific needs of this population remains limited. High-quality care relies on access to appropriate clinical education. This scoping review will synthesise evidence on educational interventions to support diabetes care provision in care home settings.; Methods: This scoping review was undertaken in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across three electronic databases: CINAHL Plus, Medline, and PsycINFO. Methodological quality of the included primary studies was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT).; Results: In total, 10 studies were included in the review, encompassing evidence from a range of international contexts. Analysis revealed three prominent themes; Firstly, educating nurses about diabetes can improve practice and behaviour. Secondly, educational interventions can increase staff knowledge and confidence, which is linked to enhancing the quality of care. Finally, a range of facilitators and barriers influencing the delivery of diabetes training in care homes were identified.; Discussion: The review suggests that educational interventions in care homes can enhance diabetes care. However, while the current evidence is encouraging, there are a lack of empirically tested educational interventions for diabetes education in this setting. Further, current educational programmes appear to lack key detail including footcare, eye care and COVID-19. To ensure the provision of high-quality diabetic care, it is therefore important to enhance the training and education of staff members. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT /library/oar/handle/123456789/145514 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/145495 Title: Nursing preventive cardiology : from guidelines to practice Abstract: This podcast is an educational resource developed for undergraduate nursing students on preventive cardiology. It includes an introductory segment on cardiovascular prevention guidelines followed by three case-based episodes addressing primary prevention, prevention in multimorbidity, and secondary prevention.; The content is based on the 2021 European Society of Cardiology guidelines and supporting literature. The podcast was generated using Google NotebookLM, with curated source documents uploaded to ensure alignment with guideline-based content. All outputs were reviewed for accuracy and educational relevance.; Developed as an educational intervention for a randomised study comparing podcast-based and reading-based learning among undergraduate nursing students. Description: Version 1.1 (Final educational resource) Wed, 01 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT /library/oar/handle/123456789/145495 2025-10-01T00:00:00Z