Performance Evaluation of Nursing Staff in the Prevention of Injury: Focus in Patient Fall and Medication Error in a Provincial Hospital

Patient falls and medication errors remain the leading causes of preventable harm in hospitals, especially in resource- limited provincial settings where nurses serve as the primary safety barrier. This study evaluated the performance of nursing staff in preventing physical injuries, specifically patient falls and medication errors, in a provincial hospital in MIMAROPA, Philippines. Using a quantitative descriptive-correlational design and total enumeration sampling, data were collected from 56 registered nurses using a validated, 4-point Likert scale questionnaire and analyzed using frequency, percentage, weighted mean, standard deviation, and chi-square test. Results showed that respondents were predominantly young, bachelor’s degree holders, and had less than five years of service. Nurses consistently performed safety practices, with an overall mean of 3.71 (Always Performed) for fall prevention and 3.81 (Always Performed) for medication safety. Weakest practices included assistance during mobility and distraction control during drug administration. Educational attainment, length of service, and training attendance showed significant relationships with performance (p<0.05). The study concludes that while nursing performance is generally strong, critical gaps persist due to workload, interruptions and reporting barriers. It is recommended that hospital management optimize staffing, conduct targeted competency training, enforce ‘Quiet Zones’, and implement a non- punitive reporting system to further strengthen patient safety and quality care.