Clinical Errors Committed By New Graduate Nurses with Developmental Disorder Tendencies in Japan

Abstract

Introduction: The present nationwide survey was carried on new graduate nurses in Japan who were identified with difficulties in acquiring occupational skills in their first year of employment by their nursing managers. The characteristics of the nurses in their first year of employment, reported by their direct supervisors, were assessed to identify developmental disorder tendencies (DDT). The errors committed during the first year of employment were compared between the nurses with and without DDT. The level of incident aftermath, developed by the National University Hospital Council of Japan, was used for comparison. The nurses with DDT committed higher levels of clinical errors, compared to those without DDT; however, mild levels of sequential injuries were reported. The results of this study indicated that support provided to such nurses may be insufficient. Support programs particularly focusing on DDT may reduce the clinical errors committed by new graduate nurses. Additionally, the determination of specific tendencies contributing to clinical errors is warranted.