Medication errors are a serious problem in our healthcare system, and we need to do everything we can to reduce their incidence. We can create preventative measures by comprehending the causes of these mistakes. A variety of circumstances can cause medication errors. Sometimes the error results from a prescription error, such as when the patient is given the incorrect drug. Other times, the mistake happens during dispensing when the patient receives the incorrect medication. Other times, the mistake happens when the patient takes the medication, such as when the incorrect dose is administered.
Medication errors can have serious consequences for patients. Sometimes they can cause severe harm or even death. Doing everything in our power to prevent them is crucial because of this. Numerous tactics can successfully stop pharmaceutical errors. One way to lessen the likelihood of errors is to use technology, such as computerized prescriber order input systems. The healthcare team should also work to improve communication so that everyone is informed about the medications the patient is taking. Last but not least, informing patients about how to take their medications properly is important. We can improve the safety of our healthcare system for everyone by comprehending the reasons behind drug errors and putting prevention measures into place.
Factors Associated with Medication Errors
There are many factors associated with medication errors. The most frequent ones include patient non-compliance, improper medicine prescriptions or dispensing, and poor communication between healthcare professionals. Fatigue, diversions, and lack of experience are possible additional contributing factors. Improving communication among all medical team members is one of the most crucial things that can be done to lower the risk of drug errors.
This includes documenting and communicating changes in a patient’s condition or medication regimen. Making sure everyone on the team is informed of the patient’s allergies, and any other medications they are taking is an additional crucial step. Another significant contributor to pharmaceutical mishaps is incorrect medication prescribing or dispensing. This can occur when a doctor writes a prescription for the incorrect drug or dosage or when a pharmacist administers the incorrect drug or dosage. It is crucial that prescriptions are clear and readable to avoid this and that pharmacists thoroughly inspect the prescription before filling it.
Another frequent reason for medication errors is patient non-compliance. This happens when people skip dosages or do not take their drugs as directed. Non-compliance can result from several things, such as forgetfulness, a lack of understanding of the directions, or side effects. Make sure patients comprehend their medication regimen and why it is crucial to adhere to it to prevent this.
Inexperience, distractions, and fatigue can also cause medication errors. Inexperienced healthcare professionals may not be familiar with all of the prescriptions they are prescribing, and those who are weary or preoccupied are more prone to make mistakes. It is crucial for healthcare professionals to obtain enough sleep and to be mindful of their surroundings while working to assist prevent these blunders.
There are many factors associated with medication errors. The danger of these errors can be significantly decreased by enhancing communication, raising precision while prescribing and distributing medications, and guaranteeing patient compliance (Manias et al. 11). According to Manias and others, it is clear that pharmaceutical error can be resolved amicably by highlighting the need for more research in this field to produce more effective remedies.
Medication Errors Among Critical Care Nurses
Many factors are associated with medication errors, and critical care nurses are particularly susceptible to making them. The high levels of stress and exhaustion experienced by nurses working in this sector and the intricate intricacy of the medicine regimens they must deliver are some of the main causes of this. Lack of standardization in pharmaceutical labelling and storage, poor communication among healthcare team members, and ignorance of the medications are other variables associated with medication errors. Medication errors can also be caused by human factors like attention and memory loss.
According to research by Escrivá Gracia and his colleagues on critical care nurses. The study results showed that medication errors are a significant problem for essential nurses of care and that there are knowledge gaps about medications that contribute to these errors (Escrivá Gracia et al. 8). The authors contend that education and training are required to close these knowledge gaps and lower the prevalence of medication errors. This site, like others, emphasizes the issue of pharmaceutical errors and the requirement for education and training to solve them.
The problem of Medication Errors Among Countries
The problem of medication errors is a serious one in countries around the world. These mistakes frequently result in severe injury or even death. Healthcare professionals must be aware of the issue and take precautions to avoid errors to limit the number of them. Sutherland claims this based on studies carried out in UK hospitals, primary care clinics, and community settings, among others (Sutherland et al. 5). It was clear that drug errors are common and pervasive throughout nations, a problem that has to be addressed right now.
Medication Errors in Hospitals
Medication errors are a serious problem in hospitals. They can occur when a patient is given the wrong medication, the wrong dose, or the medication is not given properly. They may also happen if a patient’s post-medication monitoring is inadequate. In a study conducted in a Saudi Arabian pediatric, obstetric, and gynecological hospital, Alanazi and coauthors examined the role of pharmacists in preventing prescription errors. They discovered that pharmacists can significantly contribute to the prevention of errors and that their interventions can significantly lower errors (Alanazi et al. 8). The findings of this study can improve practices and regulations in various contexts and offer crucial details about the function of pharmacists in preventing prescription errors. Medical professionals should take the lead in eradicating medication errors from hospitals.
Technology in Solving Medication Errors
Technology has also allowed for the development of electronic prescribing systems. These systems can help to reduce medication errors by providing healthcare providers with up-to-date information on a patient’s medication history and allergies. Additionally, electronic prescribing systems can issue alerts if a patient is at risk for a prescription error. The development of barcode medicine administration systems is another result of technology utilization in the healthcare sector. These systems can decrease medication errors by ensuring that the right drug is administered to the right patient at the right time.
Papandreou and other authors carried out a study that sought to develop and implement a new clinical decision support system (CDSS) to reduce medication errors and expedite care in the provision of chemotherapy. The CDSS was developed to guide clinicians on the optimal course of action based on each patient’s distinctive characteristics (Papandreou et al. 518). The authors claim that the CDSS reduced medication errors and accelerated care. Medication mistakes have decreased due to technological utilization in the healthcare sector. This is so that systems that can track and oversee a patient’s drug consumption can be developed thanks to technology. These devices can notify medical professionals if a patient is not taking their prescription as directed or if a medication error is possible. Technology is constantly evolving, and as such, there will likely be even more future advances that can help reduce medication errors even further.
The Lean six sigma implementation and sustainability roadmap in hospitals
The Lean Six Sigma deployment and sustainability roadmap in hospitals is a very thorough and detailed approach emphasizing the sustainable application of Lean Six Sigma in hospitals. The roadmap was created to ensure that Lean Six Sigma deployment in hospitals is done sustainably and will not affect how the hospital runs or the standard of patient care. The roadmap also offers suggestions for ensuring that Lean Six Sigma adoption in hospitals is done in a way that is compatible with the hospital’s current systems and procedures.
Trakulsunti and other researchers used a case study methodology to examine how lean Six Sigma was used in two hospitals in Thailand. They found that after lean Six Sigma was applied in these institutions, there were fewer prescription errors. Scientists discovered a connection between less employee burnout and greater employee satisfaction when lean Six Sigma was implemented (Trakulsunti et al. 40). The authors state that the study’s findings might be used to develop a roadmap for the successful use of lean Six Sigma in other hospitals. It is, nevertheless, clear that the adoption and sustainability of lean Six Sigma can lower hospital medication errors.
Conclusively, medication errors are a serious problem that can lead to potentially harmful consequences for patients. Even though there are a variety of circumstances that might cause these errors, with the right instruction and training, they can frequently be avoided. As technology is used more frequently in healthcare, it is crucial to ensure protocols are in place to lessen the risk of mistakes.
Works Cited
Alanazi, Amal Ahmad, et al. “Pharmacist’s intervention and medication errors prevention at pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology hospital in East Province, Saudi Arabia.” International Journal of Pharmacology and Clinical Sciences 8.2 (2019).
Escrivá Gracia, Juan, Ricardo Brage Serrano, and Julio Fernández Garrido. “Medication errors and drug knowledge gaps among critical-care nurses: a mixed multi-method study.” BMC health services research 19.1 (2019): 1-9.
Manias, Elizabeth, Snezana Kusljic, and Angela Wu. “Interventions to reduce medication errors in adult medical and surgical settings: a systematic review.” Therapeutic advances in drug safety 11 (2020): 2042098620968309.
Papandreou, Panos, et al. “The use of a novel clinical decision support system for reducing medication errors and expediting care in the provision of chemotherapy.” Health and Technology 12.2 (2022): 515-521.
Sutherland, Adam, et al. “Incidence and prevalence of intravenous medication errors in the UK: a systematic review.” European Journal of Hospital Pharmacy 27.1 (2020): 3–8.
Trakulsunti, Yaifa, Jiju Antony, and Jacqueline Ann Douglas. “Lean Six Sigma implementation and sustainability roadmap for reducing medication errors in hospitals.” The TQM Journal 33.1 (2020): 33-55.
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