Thomas, B., Paudyal, V., MacLure, K., Pallivalapila, A., McLay, J., El Kassem, W., Al Hail, M., & Stewart, D. (2019). Medication errors in hospitals in the Middle East: A systematic review of prevalence, nature, severity, and contributory factors. European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 75(9), 1269–1282. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00228-019-02689-y
This systematic review aims to provide broad insights into the presence, types, rigorousness, and associated risk factors for medication errors. This review examined 452 articles, and the key findings revealed that these errors were primarily attributed to mistakes and error-provoking conditions such as lack of knowledge, disruptions, communication barriers, and inadequate staffing levels. The review concludes that medication errors are a significant threat to patient safety; therefore, it is essential to identify the contributing factors (medication management failures, environmental factors, lack of staffing, lack of training, and inadequate communication) and initiate targeted interventions to address those factors and improve medication safety. Although these factors are explicitly identified in the Middle Eastern region, they are universal and can be found in hospitals worldwide. Thus, the reason for including this article in the bibliography is to understand the common risk factors, identify those and others in our organization, and address the challenges accordingly.
NHS FPX 4000 Assessment 2 Applying Research Skills
Key Learnings
This research taught me that medication errors are a common healthcare issue, significantly impacting patient safety. The growing prevalence of medication errors advocates the need to address the issue. However, it is vital to identify the contributing factors within the organization that are leading to these problems. The identification of these factors will assist the organization in developing specific interventions targeting those factors. Additionally, technological advancements play a crucial role in preventing and reducing these errors, ultimately supporting patient safety. Thus, organizations should think and operate in that direction. These sources of information increased my knowledge about the types of medication errors and their growing prevalence, and they instilled insights into how healthcare advancements can improve the quality of care and patient safety. These sources also enhanced my understanding of the complexities involved in medication management and safety and the potential strategies for improvement in the future to prevent such adverse incidences.
References
Alqenae, F. A., Steinke, D., & Keers, R. N. (2020). Prevalence and nature of medication errors and medication-related harm following discharge from hospital to community settings: A systematic review. Drug Safety, 43(6), 517–537. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40264-020-00918-3
Esparrago-Kalidas, A. J. (2021). The effectiveness of CRAAP test in evaluating credibility of sources. International Journal of TESOL & Education, 1(2), 1–14. https://i-jte.org/index.php/journal/article/view/25
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