Abstract
Medication errors remain a persistent challenge in healthcare, contributing to significant morbidity, mortality, and financial burden globally. Nurses, as frontline caregivers responsible for medication administration, play a critical role in patient safety systems. The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into clinical workflows holds promise for reducing medication errors by enhancing decision support, automating risk detection, and optimizing interdisciplinary communication. This article critically reviews the current state of AI applications relevant to nursing practice, including predictive analytics, natural language processing, computerized provider order entry (CPOE) enhancements, and smart infusion technologies. We examine the conceptual frameworks underpinning AI adoption, evaluate evidence from clinical implementations, and explore barriers related to usability, ethical considerations, and workforce readiness. Future directions emphasize the co-design of AI tools with nurses, rigorous evaluation methodologies, and policy frameworks to ensure safe, effective, and equitable deployment. By synthesizing interdisciplinary research and nursing insights, this article aims to offer a comprehensive perspective on how AI can transform medication safety and support high-reliability healthcare systems.
Keywords: Artificial intelligence; medication errors; nursing informatics; clinical decision support systems; patient safety; human–machine interaction