Medication Administration Error Reporting Among Nurses: A Descriptive Qualitative Study Dzidefo Tuvor, Augustine Kumah, Rebecca Abiti, Stephen Henry Afakorzi, Peter K. Agbemade, et al. Global Journal on Quality and Safety in Healthcare, 2025 Introduction Nurses are integral to the healthcare delivery team (multidisciplinary team). They are involved and play vital roles with responsibilities to ensure the quality of healthcare for their patients. The key to those varied roles is the administration of medication. Depending on the clinical setting, nurses spend up to 40% of their hours on medication administration and its management processes. They are liable to identify and prevent medication administration errors (MAEs) and their consequences. This study aimed to explore the barriers and facilitators to the reporting behavior for MAEs among nurses in Ghana. Methods A descriptive qualitative cross-sectional study was conducted among nurses in a district catholic hospital in Ghana. The level of nurses’ knowledge of MAEs, causes of such errors, barriers to reporting, and strategies for minimizing errors were assessed. Purposive sampling was used to select a total sample of 20 nurses interviewed face-to-face using an in-depth method. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed thematically. Results The study found that all nurses are aware of MAEs, which serve as the basis for decision-making. However, some nurses do not report these errors when they occur. Factors such as workload, stress and tiredness, staff shortage, difficulty calculating drug dosage, inadequate knowledge about specific medications, distractions during administration, and patient-related factors were identified as common causes of MAEs. The study also revealed that hospital management and the potential negative consequences of reporting errors, such as unpleasant reactions, lawsuits, and loss of a job, are significant barriers to reporting. Conclusion Regular training workshops should be conducted to update nurses’ knowledge about the importance of reporting medication errors, the reporting process, new medications and their administration, to develop a policy document that promotes a nonblaming, nonpunitive, and supportive learning culture for MAE medic reporting.
Achieving Sustainability of Quality Improvement Projects Augustine Kumah, Hillary Selassi Nutakor, Abdul-Razak Issah, Emmanuel Obot, Lawrencia Antoinette Aidoo, et al. Global Journal on Quality and Safety in Healthcare, 2025
Factors Associated with Antidiabetic Medications and Dietary Recommendation Adherence Among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Godwin Gideon Kwaku Dorvlo, Augustine Kumah, Samuel Kwabena Ofosu, Stephen Henry Afakorzi, Yvette Eyram Avorgbedor, et al. Global Journal on Quality and Safety in Healthcare, 2025 Introduction Diabetes mellitus is a global noncommunicable disease epidemic of public concern. Adherence poses a challenge to patients due to the long-term management of type 2 diabetes. This study assessed the factors associated with antidiabetic medications and dietary recommendation adherence among patients with type 2 diabetes in Ghana. Methods A hospital-based, cross-sectional study design was used to assess self-reported factors associated with antidiabetic medications and dietary recommendation adherence among 165 recruited type 2 diabetes patients who visited diabetic clinics of two selected municipal hospitals in the Volta region of Ghana. A structured questionnaire consisting of closed-ended questions was used. Phone calls were used to collect responses from participants using the structured questionnaire, which included the United Kingdom Diabetes Diet Questionnaire and Morisky Adherence Scale. Data collected were entered into a Microsoft Excel sheet and exported to STATA software (version 15) to analyze variables. Binary logistic regression was run to determine the association between the level of adherence (outcome variable) and the independent variables. A CI of 95% with a p -value of < 0.05 was statistically significant. Results Self-reported factors were as follows: forgetfulness ( p = 0.0001), taking medication ( p = 0.006), difficulty remembering to take medication ( p = 0.001), worry about long-term intake of drugs ( p = 0.0001), choice of high-fiber diet ( p = 0.037), intake of processed or refined carbohydrate ( p = 0.049) alcohol intake ( p = 0.033), age ( p = 0.015), occupation ( p = 0.009), and patient waiting time ( p = 0.020) were found to have contributed to medication/dietary nonadherence among the participants. Conclusion Patient adherence was low. Health authorities in the two selected hospitals should develop strategies to reduce the problem of poor adherence.
Healthcare Access vs. Quality Healthcare: Rethinking Healthcare Risks Augustine Kumah Public Health Reviews, 2025 ObjectivesThis narrative literature review examines the global burden of mortalities due to poor quality care compared to mortalities resulting from lack of access to healthcare, focusing on the period from 2015 to 2024.MethodsData was extracted from electronic databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Ebscohost, and WHO. Relevant statistics on mortality rates due to poor quality care and lack of access to healthcare from the identified data sources were extracted. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the mortality rates, with trends analyzed over the 10 years.ResultsThe results indicate that while progress in healthcare access has reduced mortality, the lack of corresponding improvements in care quality has led to a rising number of preventable deaths. The findings reveal a consistent decline in mortality due to lack of access. In contrast, mortality due to poor quality care has increased from 5 million in 2015 to an estimated 6 million by 2024, underscoring the persistent challenges in healthcare delivery, including medical errors, misdiagnoses, and inadequate treatment.ConclusionAddressing the dual challenges of access and quality is essential for reducing global mortality rates and achieving better health outcomes.
Building community networks and engagement for effective TB case management Augustine Kumah Frontiers in Public Health, 2025 Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global public health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Effective TB case management requires comprehensive strategies that extend beyond clinical treatment and involve community engagement and networks. This narrative review explores the role of community networks and engagement in enhancing TB case management, focusing on how communities contribute to improved detection, treatment adherence, and long-term management. Drawing on a wide range of studies, the review highlights the importance of participatory approaches, the use of community health workers (CHWs), and multi-sectoral collaboration in TB care. It emphasizes the role of culturally tailored interventions and the need for greater investment in building sustainable community networks. The discussion also explores the challenges and barriers to effective community engagement, such as stigma, lack of resources, and structural inequalities. The review concludes by proposing recommendations for future strategies to strengthen community networks and engagement, ensuring more comprehensive and effective TB case management.
Adverse event reporting and patient safety: the role of a just culture Augustine Kumah Frontiers in Health Services, 2025 Reporting adverse events is essential for ensuring patient safety and fostering a culture of continuous improvement in healthcare. Adverse events, defined as unintended injuries or complications arising from healthcare management, offer crucial insights into systemic weaknesses that, if addressed, can prevent future harm. However, underreporting such events remains a significant challenge, often driven by fear of punitive actions, reputational damage or legal repercussions. To address these concerns and promote a robust reporting culture, healthcare organisations must adopt a just culture by implementing standardised frameworks for evaluating errors and establishing robust reporting systems. A culture that emphasises accountability and learning over punitive measures. Leadership commitment, psychological safety, and fair accountability are foundational to fostering a just culture in healthcare. While each theme presents specific requirements and challenges, their integration is essential for building a resilient and learning-oriented healthcare system.
Poor quality care in healthcare settings: an overlooked epidemic Augustine Kumah Frontiers in Public Health, 2025 Adverse events in healthcare settings, including medical errors, healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), and surgical complications, have been a persistent challenge globally, contributing significantly to patient morbidity and mortality. Over the past decade, these events have remained prevalent despite increasing efforts to improve patient safety. This narrative literature review explores the burden of poor-quality care. It examines the trends in adverse events and associated mortalities from 2015 to 2024, highlighting the impact of these events on global health outcomes and identifying potential strategies for reducing their occurrence. Data were collected from various sources such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Ebscohost. The analysis revealed that ~10%−12% of hospitalized patients in high-income countries experienced adverse events annually from 2015 to 2024. Globally, the WHO estimated that 134 million adverse events occurred each year, with ~2.6 million deaths attributed to these events. Adverse events in healthcare settings remain a significant public health challenge, contributing to millions of preventable deaths annually. The persistence of these events highlights systemic issues within healthcare delivery, including inadequate safety protocols, underreporting, and workforce challenges.
The future of patient safety in Ghana: challenges and opportunities Augustine Kumah Frontiers in Health Services, 2025 Patient safety is a critical aspect of healthcare that ensures the reduction of preventable harm to patients during the provision of care. Patient safety has recently gained increasing attention in Ghana, but significant challenges remain. These include inadequate healthcare infrastructure, workforce shortages, medication errors, hospital-acquired infections, and poor reporting and monitoring systems. Moreover, limited public awareness and weak regulatory enforcement exacerbate patient safety risks. However, Ghana also has several opportunities to improve patient safety. Adopting digital health solutions, investing in healthcare worker training, strengthening regulatory frameworks, and community engagement present promising pathways for progress. The government's commitment to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and recent healthcare policy reforms provide an enabling environment to enhance patient safety initiatives. This article explores the future of patient safety in Ghana by examining key challenges and potential opportunities. It provides an in-depth analysis of patient safety, discusses barriers to improvement, and highlights strategies to enhance safety outcomes. The article also examines global best practices that can be adapted to the Ghanaian healthcare system. Improving patient safety in Ghana requires a multi-stakeholder approach, integrating policy reform, technology, workforce development, and public awareness campaigns. By leveraging existing opportunities and addressing challenges, Ghana can move toward a safer, more effective healthcare system that protects patients from preventable harm.
Social support groups and policy recommendations for managing type 2 diabetes: perspective of healthcare professionals in Ghana Christine Ahiale, Augustine Kumah Frontiers in Clinical Diabetes and Healthcare, 2025 BackgroundOver the last decades, non-communicable diseases such as diabetes have remarkably increased due to rapid urbanization, unhealthy lifestyles, and ageing. The World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that the “diabetes epidemic” will continue in the coming decades, yielding enormous human and economic costs around the world. This study explores healthcare workers’ views on social support groups and policy recommendations for managing type 2 diabetes in Ghana.MethodThis study utilized a facility-based cross-sectional qualitative research design to explore healthcare workers’ views on social support groups and policy recommendations for managing type 2 diabetes in Ghana between January and May 2023. Health workers who worked in the three selected regional hospitals for at least one year and at the diabetic clinics of the three selected regional hospitals of the respective regions at the time of this study were included. The study used purposive sampling to select 12 health workers (Nurses) as key informants. One (1) facility head of each facility and three (3) health workers, each working in the diabetic clinic of each regional hospital, were selected for key informant interviews. The interviews were recorded and transcribed in English. Notes from the interview were transcribed after the key informant interview. Data was imported into the Nvivo 7 software. The results were presented as prose, analyzed, and discussed in themes.ResultsMajor challenges facing people living with diabetes were the cost of medication, limited NHIS coverage, frequent morbidity and the chronic nature of the disease, putting psychological pressure on the patients. The policy recommendation was on mass education and the expansion of NHIS coverage.ConclusionThe study has noted some significant challenges faced in managing type 2 diabetes mellitus in Ghana. Addressing the diabetes epidemic in Ghana requires a comprehensive and multi-pronged approach, focusing on prevention, early detection, access to care, and diabetes education. Implementing the policy recommendations outlined in this study can significantly improve diabetes management in Ghana, reduce the burden of the disease, and enhance the overall health and well-being of the population.
Health Policy and the Fight Against COVID-19: A Narrative Review of Ghana’s Response Department of Nursing, Jasikan District Hospital, Jasikan, Ghana., Hope Akpeke, Gideon Dzando, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia., Augustine Kumah, et al. Health in Emergencies and Disasters Quarterly, 2022
Adverse event reporting and patient safety: the role of a just culture A Kumah Frontiers in Health Services 5, 1581516 , 2025 2025 Citations: 19
The future of patient safety in Ghana: challenges and opportunities A Kumah Frontiers in Health Services 5, 1581468 , 2025 2025 Citations: 7
Social support groups and policy recommendations for managing type 2 diabetes: perspective of healthcare professionals in Ghana C Ahiale, A Kumah Frontiers in Clinical Diabetes and Healthcare 6, 1604828 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Building community networks and engagement for effective TB case management A Kumah Frontiers in Public Health 13, 1576875 , 2025 2025 Citations: 14
Medication administration error reporting among nurses: a descriptive qualitative study D Tuvor, A Kumah, R Abiti, SH Afakorzi, PK Agbemade, C Ahiale, ... Global Journal on Quality and Safety in Healthcare 8 (2), 63-69 , 2025 2025 Citations: 9
How to Enhance Effective Delivery of Quality Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Services in Ghana A Kumah, C Ahiale, SH Afakorzi, E Obot, M Dzodzodzi Global Journal on Quality and Safety in Healthcare 8 (2), 57-59 , 2025 2025
Factors Associated with Antidiabetic Medications and Dietary Recommendation Adherence Among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes GGK Dorvlo, A Kumah, SK Ofosu, SH Afakorzi, YE Avorgbedor, E Obot, ... Global Journal on Quality and Safety in Healthcare 8 (1), 3-14 , 2025 2025 Citations: 5
Achieving sustainability of quality improvement projects A Kumah, HS Nutakor, AR Issah, E Obot, LA Aidoo, JS Sifa, SA Bobie Global Journal on Quality and Safety in Healthcare 8 (1), 50-52 , 2025 2025 Citations: 10
Poor quality care in healthcare settings: an overlooked epidemic A Kumah Frontiers in public health 13, 1504172 , 2025 2025 Citations: 38
Healthcare access vs. quality healthcare: rethinking healthcare risks A Kumah Public health reviews 46, 1607903 , 2025 2025 Citations: 5
Incorporating healthcare quality improvement into health professional training curriculum in Ghana: insights and perspectives A Kumah Available at SSRN 5038370 , 2024 2024 Citations: 4
Patient-centered healthcare: from patient experience to human experience MH Abid, A Kumah, A Newera, P Hafez Global Journal on Quality and Safety in Healthcare 7 (4), 144-148 , 2024 2024 Citations: 27
Factors affecting pregnancy complications in Ghana YK Wiafe, A Asamoah, P Akweongo, A Kumah Global Journal on Quality and Safety in Healthcare 7 (4), 156-161 , 2024 2024 Citations: 3
Using incident reporting systems to improve patient safety and quality of care A Kumah, J Zon, E Obot, TK Yaw, E Nketsiah, SA Bobie Global Journal on Quality and Safety in Healthcare 7 (4), 228-231 , 2024 2024 Citations: 23
Quality health services for adolescents: assessing awareness and use of adolescent sexual reproductive health services in Keta, Ghana E Akakpo, C Sah, A Kumah, PL Fianu, DA Oppong, MM Kodjo Global Journal on Quality and Safety in Healthcare 7 (4), 151-155 , 2024 2024 Citations: 5
The future of healthcare access and safety: Challenges and opportunities A Kumah 2024
Adverse perinatal outcomes and their associated determinants in Sub-Saharan Africa H Yahaya, QE Adeyemo, A Kumah Journal of Medicine, Surgery, and Public Health 3, 100124 , 2024 2024 Citations: 16
Assessment of Healthcare Quality Provided to Children with Malaria in Ghana H Yahaya, QE Adeyemo, P Aboagye-Mensah, K Ahor-Essel, A Kumah Global Journal on Quality and Safety in Healthcare 7 (3), 98-105 , 2024 2024
Prevalence and Coping Mechanism of Dysmenorrhea Among Female University Students in Ghana. AE Hackman, A Kumah, C Ahiale, E Obot, SH Afakorzi, M Dzodzodzi 2024 Citations: 3
Mapping of Health Resources in Lower Manya Krobo Municipality in the Eastern Region of Ghana A Berete, J Enos, K Berete, A Kumah, G Acheampong, A Camara Global Journal on Quality and Safety in Healthcare 7 (2), 70-74 , 2024 2024
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Cause-and-effect (fishbone) diagram: a tool for generating and organizing quality improvement ideas A Kumah, CN Nwogu, AR Issah, E Obot, DT Kanamitie, JS Sifa, LA Aidoo Global Journal on Quality and Safety in Healthcare 7 (2), 85-87 , 2024 2024 Citations: 118
Healthcare in Ghana amidst the coronavirus pandemic: a narrative literature review G Dzando, S Salifu, AB Donyi, H Akpeke, A Kumah, R Dordunu, ... Journal of Public Health Research 11 (1), jphr. 2021.2448 , 2022 2022 Citations: 44
Poor quality care in healthcare settings: an overlooked epidemic A Kumah Frontiers in public health 13, 1504172 , 2025 2025 Citations: 38
Patient-centered healthcare: from patient experience to human experience MH Abid, A Kumah, A Newera, P Hafez Global Journal on Quality and Safety in Healthcare 7 (4), 144-148 , 2024 2024 Citations: 27
Using incident reporting systems to improve patient safety and quality of care A Kumah, J Zon, E Obot, TK Yaw, E Nketsiah, SA Bobie Global Journal on Quality and Safety in Healthcare 7 (4), 228-231 , 2024 2024 Citations: 23
Telemedicine in Ghana: Insight into the past and present, a narrative review of literature amidst the Coronavirus pandemic G Dzando, H Akpeke, A Kumah, E Agada, AA Lartey, J Nortu, HS Nutakor, ... Journal of Public Health in Africa 13 (1), 2024 , 2022 2022 Citations: 20
Adverse event reporting and patient safety: the role of a just culture A Kumah Frontiers in Health Services 5, 1581516 , 2025 2025 Citations: 19
Improving patient safety: learning from reported hospital-acquired pressure ulcers AO Forkuo-Minka, A Kumah, AY Asomaning Global journal on quality and safety in healthcare 7 (1), 15-21 , 2024 2024 Citations: 17
Adverse perinatal outcomes and their associated determinants in Sub-Saharan Africa H Yahaya, QE Adeyemo, A Kumah Journal of Medicine, Surgery, and Public Health 3, 100124 , 2024 2024 Citations: 16
Factors associated with use of traditional birth attendants for child delivery: a cross-sectional study G Agboyo, A Asamoah, J Ganle, A Kumah Global Journal on Quality and Safety in Healthcare 7 (2), 42-49 , 2024 2024 Citations: 16
Assessment of structural and process factors in delivering quality adolescent sexual and reproductive health services in Ghana A Kumah, LA Aidoo, VE Amesawu, AR Issah, HS Nutakor Global Journal on Quality and Safety in Healthcare 7 (1), 1-8 , 2024 2024 Citations: 15
Surveying and mapping breast cancer services in Ghana: a cross-sectional pilot study in the Eastern Region M Moustafa, ME Mali, F Lopez-Verdugo, O Sanyang, J Nellermoe, ... BMJ open 11 (11), e051122 , 2021 2021 Citations: 15
Building community networks and engagement for effective TB case management A Kumah Frontiers in Public Health 13, 1576875 , 2025 2025 Citations: 14
Achieving sustainability of quality improvement projects A Kumah, HS Nutakor, AR Issah, E Obot, LA Aidoo, JS Sifa, SA Bobie Global Journal on Quality and Safety in Healthcare 8 (1), 50-52 , 2025 2025 Citations: 10
Knowledge, attitude and practices towards hepatitis B infection and vaccination among public health students in Ghana A Kumah, E Tormeti, G Dzando, HS Nutakor, WAY Amenuvor, ... Open Journal of Preventive Medicine 11 (1), 43-53 , 2021 2021 Citations: 10
Medication administration error reporting among nurses: a descriptive qualitative study D Tuvor, A Kumah, R Abiti, SH Afakorzi, PK Agbemade, C Ahiale, ... Global Journal on Quality and Safety in Healthcare 8 (2), 63-69 , 2025 2025 Citations: 9
Advancing Staff Safety: Assessment of Quality Improvement Interventions in Reducing Needlestick Injuries Among Staff at Nyaho Medical Centre K Augustine, OFM Anthony Global Journal on Quality and Safety in Healthcare 6 (2), 55 , 2023 2023 Citations: 8
The future of patient safety in Ghana: challenges and opportunities A Kumah Frontiers in Health Services 5, 1581468 , 2025 2025 Citations: 7
Assessment of maternal readiness for childbirth and childrearing among adolescent mothers in Ghana R Dordunu, G Dzando, A Kumah, AB Donyi, HS Nutakor, WAY Amenuvor, ... Adv Reprod Sci 9 (2), 107-117 , 2021 2021 Citations: 6
Factors Associated with Antidiabetic Medications and Dietary Recommendation Adherence Among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes GGK Dorvlo, A Kumah, SK Ofosu, SH Afakorzi, YE Avorgbedor, E Obot, ... Global Journal on Quality and Safety in Healthcare 8 (1), 3-14 , 2025 2025 Citations: 5