In contrast to handwritten prescriptions, the implementation of technologies such as electronic prescription (e-prescription), BCMA, and Medication Error Reporting Programs (MERP) demonstrates superior efficacy in error reduction. However, it is important to acknowledge that these technological advancements also provide the potential for novel types of errors and present additional obstacles. Many research investigations have been conducted to evaluate the accuracy of electronic prescription systems (e-prescription) and Medication Error Reporting Programs (MERP) due to the early resistance and limited acceptance exhibited by physicians and pharmacy technicians (Khan et al., 2023).
Neglecting errors in medicine administration can result in a multitude of severe consequences. The failure to address prescription inaccuracies surpasses occupational injuries in terms of annual fatalities. In situations where errors in medication delivery result in significant harm to the patient, nursing staff members may experience enduring psychological distress, diminished self-assurance, and punitive measures if they are deemed responsible. The occurrence of such a mistake is likely to lead individuals and their close associates to lose trust in the organization. The financial implications resulting from these errors emphasize the necessity of tackling this widespread and undervalued issue (Ahsani-Estahbanati et al., 2021).
The implementation of electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) has yielded several notable benefits in the healthcare industry. These advantages include enhanced patient safety, decreased healthcare expenditures, improved accessibility to pharmaceutical data, and simplified medication administration processes. Electronic prescriptions, sometimes referred to as e-prescriptions, have demonstrated their ability to benefit various stakeholders, including customers, pharmacy technicians, physicians, health coverage providers, organizations, and entire communities (Khan et al., 2023).
Medication errors can arise not only due to the carelessness or ignorance of healthcare practitioners but also from the failure to adhere to established ethical standards within the medical domain. The issue of medication mistakes can be analyzed through the perspective of ethical concepts and standards such as autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence, and justice (Hofmann, 2022). The ethical principles of beneficence and non-maleficence mandate that healthcare professionals refrain from knowingly causing harm to their patients throughout treatment. Currently, a significant proportion of pharmaceutical substances available to the public are being prescribed by medical professionals without enough consideration for potential detrimental effects. Consequently, medical professionals are required to exercise utmost caution in adhering to the guidelines and standards established by their various organizations. The utilization of barcode systems and e-prescription technology has the potential to contribute significantly towards the objective of minimizing drug mistakes. Justice as well as autonomy are fundamental principles that uphold the rights of patients to exercise their judgment and make choices based on their perspectives and assessments of advantages (Hofmann, 2022).
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