Ahmed, Z., Saada, M., Jones, A. M., & Al-Hamid, A. M. (2019). Medical errors: Healthcare professionals’ perspective at a tertiary hospital in Kuwait. PLoS ONE, 14(5), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0217023
This article aims to identify the causes of various medical errors and explore measures to prevent medical errors in Kuwait. According to the authors, medical errors account for about 60 percent of prolonged hospitalizations, 32 percent of adverse events, and 20 percent of mortalities. Findings indicate that misdiagnosis, wrong labeling, wrong dosage, wrong route of medication administration, and the lack of detailed instructions are common medical errors in Kuwait. The factors associated with medical errors include a lack of optimized staff ratios, inadequate knowledge and training, negligence, and poor communication. Defective interdisciplinary collaboration and non-compliance to organizational policies and procedures are the other causes of medical errors.
This article is relevant because it identifies the types of medical errors that constitute healthcare system errors. Additionally, the article identifies the causes and impact of these healthcare system errors. This information will form the basis for formulating relevant strategies to minimize the incidence of these errors in Kuwait.
Alizadeh, G., Jafarzadeh, A., & Farough Khosravi, M. (2021). Scoping Review of Computerized Physician Order Entry Systems in Reducing Medical Errors. Evidence-Based Health Policy, Management, and Economics, 5(2), 142–150. https://doi.org/10.18502/jebhpme.v5i2.6559
This article aims at investigating the impact of a computerized medical order entry system on the reduction of medical errors. The authors report that medical errors have a negative economic and clinical impact on patients and the healthcare facility. Also, findings indicate that computerized systems reduce medication errors by promoting prompt and accurate identification of potential errors. As such, healthcare technology should be embraced to ensure that manual systems are phased out. The use of the computerized medical order entry system reduced prescription errors by approximately 30 percent, whereas medication administration errors were reduced by approximately seven percent. Furthermore, this technology reduces errors related to the selection and distribution of medication.
This article is relevant because it explains the impact of a computerized medical order entry system on the reduction of medical errors. Additionally, it identifies the types of medical errors that can be reduced by technology. These findings guide the decision-making process in selecting and implementing computerized medical order entry systems.
Di Simone, E., Giannetta, N., Auddino, F., Cicotto, A., Grilli, D., & Di Muzio, M. (2018). Medication errors in the emergency department: Knowledge, attitude, behavior, and training needs of nurses. Indian Journal of Critical Care Medicine, 22(5), 346–352. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijccm.IJCCM_63_18
This article evaluates nursing expertise that helps to minimize medication administration errors in the emergency department. Data collection was accomplished by administering questionnaires to nurses. The authors indicate that approximately 85 percent of the respondents reported that continuous training and education should be embraced to avert medication administration errors. Additionally, post-graduate training on administering intravenous medication can help to minimize the incidence of medication administration errors. Only 15 percent of the respondents were confident about the correct medication preparation and administration technique. Further, about 89 percent of the respondents identified the need for refresher training. According to the authors, the introduction of new drugs and the need for patient safety necessitates the advancement of nurses’ pharmacology skills.
This article is relevant because it evaluates nurses’ knowledge gaps that should be addressed to minimize the incidence of medication errors. Medication errors constitute healthcare system errors. By so doing, relevant stakeholders can take pertinent measures to increase nurses’ knowledge, skills, and competency. In this context, the importance of continuous refresher training and developing a comprehensive curriculum has been highlighted.
Pelzang, R., & Hutchinson, A. M. (2018). Patient safety issues and concerns in Bhutan’s healthcare system: A qualitative exploratory descriptive study. BMJ Open, 8(7). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-022788
The purpose of this article is to evaluate the perceptions of healthcar
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