Perspectives of healthcare professionals in quality improvement initiatives on reducing medication errors in Aseer hospitals, Saudi Arabia

Abstract Background Medication safety remains a critical priority in healthcare systems worldwide, and quality improvement (QI) initiatives have been increasingly adopted to reduce medication errors. In Saudi Arabia’s Aseer region, there is limited evidence on the challenges and factors that influence the successful implementation of QI initiatives. Objective This study explored healthcare professionals’ perceptions of QI initiatives for medication safety and identified key barriers, facilitators, and success indicators. Methods A qualitative design was employed using semi-structured interviews with 18 healthcare professionals, including nurses, pharmacists, and physicians, from public and private hospitals in the Aseer region. Participants were purposively sampled to ensure diversity in professional roles and clinical experience. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically using an inductive approach. Results The study included 18 healthcare professionals from three hospitals in the Aseer region. Three main themes emerged: (1) barriers such as staffing shortages, workload pressures, system gaps, resistance to change, and cultural factors; (2) enablers including technology use, staff training, effective reporting, and a just culture; and (3) success defined by measurable outcomes and staff engagement, with sustainability relying on leadership commitment and shared responsibility. Overall, participants emphasized that reducing medication errors requires integrated strategies that combine technical solutions with strong leadership and team collaboration. Conclusion The study highlights that sustainable medication safety improvement requires integrated strategies that address human, technical, and cultural factors. Policymakers and hospital leaders should strengthen staffing capacity, promote non-punitive reporting, invest in fully integrated health IT systems, and embed QI into everyday clinical practice. These context-specific findings can inform regional and national strategies to reduce medication errors and enhance patient safety outcomes.