Medication Errors Could Be A Result Of Incomplete Informatio ✓ Solved

Medication errors could be a result of incomplete information or

Medication errors could be a result of incomplete information or insufficient information about a patient's previous clinical characteristics and treatment. Additionally, these errors could stem from inadequate communication between health practitioners and nurses. Research indicates that dose selection errors represent 50% of all prescribing errors (Velo & Minuz, 2009). In part one of this scenario, I identified a weakness in my proposed solution by suggesting a follow-up appointment for a patient already hospitalized, making it unnecessary. Another weakness involved communicating with the patient's family to ensure they were not responsible for the error, despite the patient’s safety being under the hospital's healthcare supervision.

This oversight likely occurred because I failed to thoroughly read the case details and should have paid closer attention to the problem before making further decisions. Given that the medication error occurred within the hospital, it seems reasonable to conclude that the dose error happened throughout the entire medication prescribing process.

One effective strategy to address any weaknesses is to first review the hospital's health system policy. It is crucial to notify both senior and junior doctors, as well as the nurses on the morning shift responsible at that time, immediately. Additionally, engaging with the pharmacist responsible for reviewing the medication order and the prescription received for this child is essential. If the medication was administered through an intravenous (IV) solution, stopping the solution immediately is critical. Medication errors, no matter how minor they seem, can lead to severe health complications, including medication resistance.

Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the physician or the concerned healthcare provider to decide whether to inform the patient's family regarding the error (Velo & Minuz, 2009).

Paper For Above Instructions

The occurrence of medication errors in hospitals presents an alarming challenge in patient safety and quality of care. Medication errors are described as any preventable events that may cause or lead to inappropriate medication use or patient harm while the medication is in the control of healthcare professionals (National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention, 2020). Understanding the reasons behind these errors is pivotal for healthcare providers, as they directly impact patient health outcomes.

Incomplete information regarding a patient’s clinical history, current medications, and allergies can lead to significant medication errors. Health practitioners often rely on the information provided in a patient’s medical records to make informed decisions. However, if this information is inadequately documented, it can result in incorrect dosages or inappropriate medication choices (Aljohani et al., 2020). Moreover, incomplete handoffs during shift changes or inadequate communication between doctors and nurses can exacerbate the risk of medication errors (Weingart et al., 2018).

In many cases, communication failures are implicated in medication errors. Clear and concise communication between healthcare providers is crucial, particularly during patient transitions. Studies have shown that when medication orders are not clearly communicated, or when there is a lack of updates regarding patient care, the risk of errors significantly increases (Gandhi et al., 2005). Furthermore, the role of interdisciplinary teams in communication cannot be understated. Enhancing communication among pharmacists, nurses, and physicians can significantly reduce the incidence of errors (Hong et al., 2020).

In addressing my previous weaknesses, an essential step is the implementation of a robust follow-up process that ensures accurate information is communicated as patients move from one phase of care to another. A review of hospital policies regarding medication administration and reporting errors should be routinely conducted. Engaging healthcare staff in training that emphasizes the importance of attention to detail and clear communication may also be needed.

Additionally, involving pharmacists in the medication review process can help identify potential errors before medications are administered. According to a study by Bond et al. (2018), the inclusion of clinical pharmacists in direct patient care teams significantly reduces the occurrence of medication errors. Pharmacists play a key role in reviewing drug interactions, verifying dosages, and ensuring the appropriateness of medication regimens.

Moreover, leveraging technology can help reduce medication errors. Electronic health records (EHR) and computerized physician order entry (CPOE) systems can assist with accurate medication prescribing by alerting providers to potential drug interactions, allergies, or dosage issues (Bates et al., 2014). Ensuring that EHRs are regularly updated with patients’ current medications and relevant clinical history is crucial for maintaining patient safety.

The importance of timely notification to the appropriate healthcare team members cannot be overstated. As demonstrated in the scenario, errors must be addressed swiftly once identified. This includes stopping any erroneous medication administration immediately, which can prevent adverse patient outcomes. The perception of the seriousness of medication errors should be ingrained within the hospital culture, highlighting that even small mistakes can lead to severe repercussions such as medication resistance and prolonged hospitalization (Bakhsh et al., 2015).

Finally, it's vital to foster an environment where staff feels comfortable reporting errors without fear of punishment. By implementing a non-punitive reporting system, healthcare organizations can gain valuable insights from errors and prevent them from recurring (Schneider et al., 2016). Open dialogues about medication errors can significantly enhance the quality of care delivered to patients.

In conclusion, mitigating medication errors necessitates a multifaceted approach that includes improving communication, enhancing information completeness, and utilizing technological solutions. Continuous education and awareness among healthcare professionals can further strengthen practices and ensure patient safety during medication administration. By focusing on these areas, the healthcare industry can work toward reducing the prevalence of medication errors and enhancing overall patient outcomes.

References

• Aljohani, K., et al. (2020). Medication errors in healthcare settings: A review and recommendations. Journal of Patient Safety, 16(2), 115-121.
• Bakhsh, A., et al. (2015). Medication errors: Causes, prevention, and analysis. International Journal of Pharmacy Practice, 23(5), 333-339.
• Bates, D. W., et al. (2014). The impact of computerized physician order entry on medication error prevention. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 21(3), 469-472.
• Bond, C. M., et al. (2018). Interventions to reduce medication errors by incorporating clinical pharmacy into interdisciplinary teams. Health Services Research, 53(2), 2052-2070.
• Gandhi, T. K., et al. (2005). Adverse drug events in ambulatory care. New England Journal of Medicine, 353(3), 291-299.
• Hong, K. S., et al. (2020). Improving medication safety through healthcare team communication. BMJ Quality & Safety, 29(5), 431-438.
• National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention. (2020). About Medication Errors. Retrieved from https://www.nccmerp.org/about-medication-errors
• Schneider, P. J., et al. (2016). The importance of error reporting and a non-punitive culture in healthcare. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, 73(15), 1145-1151.
• Velo, G. P., & Minuz, P. (2009). Medication errors: Prescribing faults and prescription errors. Retrieved May 29, 2016, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19407414
• Weingart, S. N., et al. (2018). Epidemiology of medical error: A review of the literature. BMJ Quality & Safety, 27(3), 224-230.