The healthcare sector is plagued by the issue of medication errors, which can potentially have fatal results for patients’ health. As a nurse, I am interested in researching best practices to address this issue. Medication errors are costly financially and in terms of patient safety, and healthcare organizations need to stay abreast of best practices for preventing medication errors. This paper will explore the causes of medication errors, discuss potential solutions, and explain the ethical principles if possible solutions are implemented.
Analyze a Current Health Care Problem or Issue
Medication errors are a serious healthcare problem that can lead to adverse events, including death. The World Health Organization estimates that over 200,000 deaths occur yearly due to medication errors. Medication errors can occur at any stage of the medication use process, from prescribing to administering, and can be caused by various factors. Poor communication between healthcare providers and between providers and patients is a common cause of medication errors(Härkänen et al.,2019). This can include poor communication between healthcare professionals, providers and patients and inadequate patient education. In addition, errors can result from failure to follow established protocols, incorrect dosing, and inadequate staff training.
Elements of the Problem/Issue
Given their complexity, a comprehensive strategy is needed to tackle medication errors and enhance patient safety. The issue needs to be handled on many levels. According to Härkänen et al. (2019), better dialogue between medical staff and patients is needed. This includes ensuring the patient knows their medications and how to take them and that all medical personnel know their medical history, present medication regimen, and a complete list of prescriptions. Procedures must be created and followed to guarantee that medications are appropriately prescribed, supplied, and administered.
Analysis
Medication errors can be avoided by implementing evidence-based best practices. Healthcare organizations should develop and implement a comprehensive medication safety system. This system should include the following aims: improved communication between healthcare providers, standardized processes for prescribing and administering medications, improved patient education and involvement in their care, and improved staff training(Elliott et al.,2021). Computerized physician order entry systems can be used to improve the accuracy of medication orders and reduce errors. CPOE systems allow healthcare providers to electronically enter and update medication orders, which can help to ensure that medications are prescribed correctly and reduce the risk of errors
The Context for Patient Safety Issues
Medication errors can have catastrophic repercussions, and patient safety is a top priority in healthcare. Healthcare institutions must adopt a holistic strategy that includes better communication, standardized procedures, excellent patient education, and increased staff training to increase patient safety. Also, it is critical to recognize and address factors that increase the likelihood of medication errors, including polypharmacy, complicated prescription regimens, cognitive impairment, and insufficient patient education (Elliott et al.,2021). Due to the intricacy of the pharmaceutical regimen, polypharmacy, or the use of many medications, might raise the risk of medication errors. Moreover, cognitive dysfunction might make it more challenging for patients to comprehend and remember how to take their drugs.
Populations Affected by Patient Safety Issues
All patient populations are susceptible to significant repercussions from medication errors; however, specific populations are more vulnerable than others. Patients who are elderly are especially vulnerable since they have a higher chance of polypharmacy and cognitive decline (Elliott et al.,2021). Also, because of the intricacy of their medication regimens and the higher likelihood of drug interactions, patients with numerous chronic diseases are more prone to make medication errors. Finally, because they need to comprehend their prescriptions, people with low health literacy are likelier to make a medication error.
Considering Options
It is crucial to consider evidence-based best practices for preventing medication errors while thinking about potential solutions to the issue of medication errors. Healthcare organizations should develop and implement a comprehensive medication safety system that includes enhanced provider communication, standardized prescription and administration procedures, improved patient education and involvement in their care, and enhanced staff training (Härkänen et al., 2019). Identifying and treating risk factors for medication errors, such as polypharmacy, complicated prescription regimens, cognitive impairment, and insufficient patient education, should also be a priority for healthcare institutions.
Solution
Implementing evidence-based best practices for preventing medication errors is the answer to the problem of medication errors. A thorough medication safety system should be created and implemented by healthcare organizations. This system should include the following components: increased staff training, standardized processes for prescription and dispensing medications, improved patient education and involvement in their treatment, and improved communication among healthcare providers (Härkänen et al., 2019). Identifying and treating risk factors for medication errors, such as polypharmacy, complicated prescription regimens, cognitive impairment, and insufficient patient education, should also be a priority for healthcare institutions.
Implementation
Healthcare organizations should create and execute a comprehensive medication safety system to implement the suggested solution. This system should include improved patient education and participation in their care, standardized procedures for prescribing and administering medications, improved staff training, and improved interprofessional communication.(Kristina et al.,2020). Identifying and treating risk factors for medication errors, such as polypharmacy, complicated medication regimens, cognitive impairment, and insufficient patient education, should also be a priority for healthcare groups.
The following protocols should be used when implementing this method. The first step is to develop standardized protocols for prescribing and distributing medications by healthcare groups. Creating standard prescriptions and drug administration procedures fall under this group. Healthcare facilities must also ensure that medications are administered correctly and in the correct dosages. Third, healthcare organizations should prioritize improving dialogue between doctors and patients (Kristina et al.,2020). This includes making sure that all medical staff members are aware of the patient’s complete medical history and present medications and that the patient is adequately informed about their medications and how to take them. Fourth, healthcare facilities should implement a system that effectively prevents prescription errors, like a computerized physician order entry system. By electronically entering and updating medication orders and sending alerts for potential drug interactions and other errors, this system can assist in reducing errors.
Ethical Principles
Implementing this system would adhere to the ethical principles of Beneficence, Nonmaleficence, Autonomy, and Justice. The principle of Beneficence calls for healthcare providers to act in the best interests of their patients, and implementing this system would help ensure that patients receive safe and effective medications. The principle of Nonmaleficence calls for healthcare providers not to harm, and this system would help to reduce the risk of medication errors and the potential for harm to patients(Kristina et al.,2020). The autonomy principle calls for healthcare professionals to respect their patients’ autonomy. It would be better upheld if patients were adequately informed and taught about their medications and how to take them.
Conclusion
Medication errors are a severe problem in the healthcare industry and can have terrible consequences for patients. In order to reduce the risk of medication errors and improve patient safety, healthcare organizations should develop and implement a comprehensive medication safety system. This system should include improved communication between healthcare providers, standardized prescribing and administering medication processes, patient education and involvement in their care, and staff training. In addition, healthcare organizations should focus on identifying and addressing risk factors for medication errors, such as polypharmacy, complex medication regimens, cognitive impairment, and inadequate patient education. Implementing this system would adhere to the ethical principles of Beneficence, Nonmaleficence, Autonomy, and Justice.
References
Elliott, R. A., Camacho, E., Jankovic, D., Sculpher, M. J., & Faria, R. (20 21). Economic analysis of the prevalence and clinical and economic burden of medication error in England. BMJ Quality & Safety, 30(2), 96-105 https://qualitysafety.bmj.com/content/30/2/96.abstract
Härkänen, M., Vehviläinen-Julkunen, K., Murrells, T., Rafferty, A. M., & Franklin, B. D. (2019). Medication administration errors and mortality: incidents reported in England and Wales between 2018- 2019. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 15(7), 858-863. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1551741118306351
Kristina, S. A., Supapsophon, P., & Sooksriwong, C. O. (2020). Dispensing Errors: preventable medication errors by pharmacists in the outpatient department of a university hospital, in Bangkok, Thailand. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/230265703.pdf
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