Despite the hard work and dedication of passionate healthcare workers, the prevalence of such events erodes trust in the healthcare system. If decades of research in patient safety has taught us anything, it’s that human error is not the problem; it’s the system that allows human error to slip through and harm a patient that is at fault. Still, it is the responsibility of hospital leaders to elevate and innovate existing processes so that they hardwire excellence and repair that trust.
Hospital systems have much to gain by preventing medication errors. Recent reporting suggests that caring for patients following these errors costs between $20 and $40 billion annually. ADN built a Patient Safety ROI Calculator that helps healthcare leaders make the business case for patient safety. The tool helps predict the potential cost savings of QI initiatives aimed at specific adverse event types like medication errors (aka Adverse Drug Events) for use in a financial impact analysis.
In this blog, we’ll introduce some essential strategies for preventing medical errors to improve the patient experience. In practice, these strategies will save institutions money, improve care outcomes, and even boost team morale.
According to the FDA, medication errors are preventable events. Such events may cause or lead to inappropriate medication use or patient harm. Medication errors occur while the medication is in the control of the healthcare professional, patient, or consumer.
These medical errors can include:
Common system errors leading to medication errors in healthcare settings include:
Medication error prevention begins with comprehensive medication management. A thorough medication reconciliation procedure is crucial for success.
Medication reconciliation involves carefully and thoughtfully comparing a patient’s medication orders against the medications the patient is already taking. The list should be as accurate and complete as possible for the best outcomes. Ideally, this process should occur during every transition.
The 5 steps involved include:
This thorough review process allows for clear and open communication and ensures strong continuity of care.
Many hospitals also implement a Comprehensive Medication Review (CMR). This process involves a physician at the fourth step of the reconciliation process. Errors can occur when hospitals only track data related to CMR completion vs efficacy. The collection of comprehensive patient safety data can mitigate erroneous overrides and approvals, calling for a more careful review.
It is crucial to involve the patients themselves in the medication management process. This begins with patient education.
Patients should know enough about their medications to advocate for themselves. They should be aware of all changes in medication. Ideally, they will have a knowledge of side effects. Patients should know enough to maintain a conversation about their medications with their physicians.
As informed participants, patients can play a role in catching and mitigating medication errors before they occur.
As of the year 2020, about 75% of American hospitals utilized automated medication dispensing cabinets or machines. These systems solve a host of medication storage, dispensing, and tracking errors. For example, front-line team members are less likely to confuse drugs with similar-sounding names.
It is important to note that proper implementation is key to improving patient safety using this technology. The tracking they provide is only valuable if safety teams utilize that data for decision-making.
Successful hospitals have clinical decision support systems in place. As a result, the implementation of electronic prescribing and barcoding systems can reduce errors.
As we delve into the realm of medication safety, it’s essential to recognize that while our list of strategies is not exhaustive, it aims to prioritize the most critical tactics to ensure your team aligns with current best practices. In healthcare, the margin for error is notably slim, and the consequences of medication errors can be significant, impacting patient health and trust in healthcare systems. The following strategies have been selected based on up-to-date research and proven effectiveness in reducing medication errors. They serve as a guide for healthcare professionals committed to enhancing patient safety and optimizing medication management processes. By implementing these top tactics, your team can take significant strides towards ensuring high standards of care and upholding the principles of patient safety.
Preventing medication errors requires a multifaceted approach involving healthcare professionals, patients, and the use of technology. By adopting these essential strategies, healthcare systems can significantly reduce the occurrence of preventable medical errors. Ultimately, these considerations will enhance the overall quality of patient care.
Ultimately, preventing such errors is a collective responsibility. The key is adaptation to new challenges in medication management. A system-wide, data-backed growth mindset is frequently the key to positive change.
Learn more about ADN’s Patient Safety Services
Works Cited
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519065/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499956/
https://www.fda.gov/drugs/information-consumers-and-patients-drugs/working-reduce-medication-errors
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2648/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10387923/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5060834/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S240584402308876X
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2827025/
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