MEDICATION ERRORS AND PATIENT SAFETY

With reference to the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) recent reports determined the most common fatal medication errors in USA were...

• Administration of an improper dosage (41%)
• Administering the wrong drug (36%)
• Improper route of administering the drug (23%)

The FDA concluded people over the age of 60 comprised almost one-half of the fatal medication errors, likely because of a higher risk in this age group due to multiple medications prescribed.

• Children were also found to be in jeopardy as medications strengths are prescribed based on their weight. An inaccurate calculation can be fatal in children.
• These frightening statistics demonstrate the grave possibility of medical errors or prescription malpractice occurring in India.
• Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to reduce your risk of becoming a victim of a medical error to the patients.
• Ask your doctor what medication you are being prescribed and what its intended function is. Request the purpose of the medication be included on the prescription order. This can clarify which medication the pharmacist is to dispense if there is any confusion with the doctor's handwriting or abbreviations.
• If you are in the hospital, ask the doctor what medications have been prescribed and why it is needed to take. If you’re medical condition prevents you from obtaining this information, have a family member or friend inquire with the doctor.
• Be sure you understand the directions for taking the medication. If the dosage is 4 times daily, ask whether this means every six hours or 4 times during waking hours. Some medications need to be taken with food to avoid gastrointestinal aggravation while other medications should not be taken with food or beverages which may interact negatively with already prescribed medication.
• Storage of your medication is another question to ask. Does it need to be kept in the refrigerator or a cool dark place or at any special measures to take?
• Side effects of medications can cause unpleasant symptoms or urgent the medical situations. Be sure that your doctor or pharmacist explains the possible side effects and what to do if any side effects occur at minimal or overdose.
• Read the prescription bottle label every time you take your medication. Many pills and tablets appear similar and are easily mistaken. If your medication is in liquid form, use the measuring device provided with the medication pack. Do not use tablespoons or teaspoons from your kitchen.
• If you are taking multiple medications, have the pharmacist dispense your prescriptions in blister packs to assist you in taking your medications at the appropriate time, dosage schedule. Blister packs divide your prescriptions into individual dosages and indicate what time each dosage is to be taken.
• Compile a complete list of your medications, including any over the counter drugs, pharmaceuticals products, herbal remedies, dietary supplements, vitamins, laxatives, sleeping aids and birth control pills, and provide it to your doctor. Bring the list with you each time if you visit more than one doctor or pharmacists.
• Advise your doctor and co-pharmacist of all drug allergies. When you are prescribed a medication, double check with the doctor or clinical pharmacist that is not part of the drug family that caused you to have a previous allergic reaction.
• Fill all your prescriptions at the same pharmacy so one pharmacy has your complete records. When you pick up your prescription, check the name and dosage on the bottle. If it is a repeat prescription examine the tablets to make sure they are the same colour and shape as previous prescriptions.
• Medical errors happen in each and every step of the patient care. So it’s important to the pharmacist to have a skillful knowledge on medication and drugs used.

The pharmacist has very important role in controlling the medication errors. As medication errors can’t be preventable but can be minimized when the pharmacist involves in Pharmaceutical care.
This article was revised my own with all my strengths and hopefully it help all readers to know the simple and common skills to implement in the patient safety.


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Thanking you
Akshaya Srikanth
Pharm.D Internee