A Study on Medication Errors
Exploring Strategies to Prevent Medication Errors and Enhance Patient Safety
by Tasneem Hussain*,
- Published in Journal of Advances and Scholarly Researches in Allied Education, E-ISSN: 2230-7540
Volume 20, Issue No. 4, Oct 2023, Pages 232 - 234 (3)
Published by: Ignited Minds Journals
ABSTRACT
A medication error, an avoidable event causing harm to patients, can occur at various stages of the treatment process. This study aims to detect and analyze medication error reports, contributing to the prevention of future errors and enhancing medication efficacy and safety. The research underscores the significance of interconnected decisions that optimize the balance between benefits and harm in limiting medication errors.
KEYWORD
medication errors, avoidable event, patients, treatment process, detect and analyze, medication error reports, prevention, future errors, enhancing medication efficacy, safety, interconnected decisions, optimize balance, benefits and harm, limiting
INTRODUCTION
Medical errors within healthcare systems arise from factors such as poor communication, inadequate information flow, lack of training, and machine failures. These errors, occurring at any treatment stage, can result in severe morbidity and adverse events. The study aims to outline the frequency, stage, and types of medication errors, analyzing the harm to improve reporting systems. Clinical pharmacists play a pivotal role in identifying and preventing medication errors. Despite numerous case reports and media coverage, systematic research is essential for monitoring safety, identifying unsafe practices, and implementing safety measures. Common Themes of Barries ro Reportig medical errors
DETECTION AN DREPORTING
The accurate frequencies of medication errors remain unknown, causing dissatisfaction and impeding progress monitoring. Encouraging the reporting of errors with simplified and standardized processes is crucial. Health care professionals often hesitate to report errors due to fear of liability, job loss ,and a loss of colleagues' confidence. Organizations must cultivate a supportive atmospher efor error examination, focusing on preventing future errors.Timely analysis of medication error reports can reveal opportunities for improvement and system changes.
PATIENT WELLBEING
Assessing risk and damage to patients is essential for achieving ultimate patient safety. Providing safe services will help restore the community's trust in the healthcare system. Distortions are a prevalent cause of medication errors, emphasizing the need for a culture that recognizes safety challenges and implements practical solutions instead of fostering a culture of blame, shame, and punishment. Effectivecommunicationisachievedthroughclearandsimplemeans,andfaultysystemsmust be redesigned while professionals are adequately trained to utilize technological advances.
CLASSIFICATION OF ADMINISTRATION ERRORS
Errors occurring during medication administration involve giving the wrong drug, incorrect dosage, administering via the wrong route, or administering at the wrong time.
CLASSIFICATION OF PRESCRIBINGE RRORS
A prescription error is a failure in the prescription writing process, resulting in incorrect instructions about drugs, dosage, or inappropriate instructions.
CLASSIFICATION OF DISPENSING ERRORS
Dispensing errors occur when the pharmacistor healthcare professional provides the wrong medication or incorrect dosage due to misinterpretation of the prescription, confusion between similar drug names, or incorrect labeling.
PREVENTION OF MEDICATION ERRORS
Pharmacists, drug manufacturers, information systems, and hospital personnel can collectively reduce medication errors. Adhering to the "five rights" of medication use—right patient, drug, dose ,time, and route— is crucial. Physicians can contribute by observing basic safety practices in drug prescribing, such as writing clearly and avoiding abbreviations.The medication error rate formula involves dividing observed errors by opportunities for errors and multiplying by 100. improve the rapeutic out comes, posing significant risks to patient safety. Preventing these errors requires a multifaceted approach involving healthcare professionals, technology, and system improvement. Strategies include maintaining good communication within the health team, reporting errors promptly, and ensuring a responsible approach from hospitals, staff, and healthcare providers before adverse reactions occur.
REFERENCES
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Corresponding Author Tasneem Hussain*
Student of PharmD Email Id - tasneemhussain220118@gmail.com
