Solution to Medication Errors Essay

Solution to Medication Errors Essay

Introduction

Medication errors are a failure in the treatment process, which lead to or potentially harm the patients. Medication errors are the most common type of error in hospitals. It is also the leading cause of mortality and mortality among patients (Gates et al., 2021). Medical malpractice allegations are usually the result of errors made by healthcare professionals such as doctors, pharmacists, and nurses. The analysis of malpractice claims may be utilized to prevent future litigation and raise healthcare practitioners’ awareness. DiAngi et al. (2019) posit that medication errors can result in malpractice claims in 13-25 percent of cases caused by blunders, gaps in the action, and memory lapses. However, there has been significant global awareness of medication safety risks. Furthermore, as the general public becomes more aware of health issues, medical practice lawsuits are rising (Tariq et al., 2021). Despite this, healthcare providers lack understanding and an incorrect perspective of drug errors in healthcare institutions. This paper will analyze medication errors, groups of people mainly affected by the issue, propose strategies to reduce medication errors, and consider ethical principles if the solutions were implemented.

Elements of the Problem

Gates et al. (2021) indicate that 1.5 million preventable medication errors occur in the US each year. 65% of the reported medication errors significantly impacted the patients’ health. Some studies suggest that medication errors result in about 7000 to 9,000 deaths each year. The total cost of looking after patients with medication-associated errors exceeds $40 billion annually. In addition to the financial costs, the patients also experience psychological and physical pain and suffering due to medication errors (Tariq et al., 2021). Medication errors occur during medication selection where there is irrational, inappropriate, ineffective prescribing, underprescribing, and overprescribing. Some errors can also occur during prescriptions, including ineligibility (Gates et al., 2021). During the dispensation of the medication, the errors can result from the wrong drug, wrong label, and wrong formulation. The patient can also get the wrong dose and take medication at the wrong duration, route, and frequency. Studies indicate that medication errors in healthcare systems occur due to the stage of medication treatment, with 16% occurring during prescribing, 18% during dispensation, and 50% during medication administration. DiAngi et al. (2019) indicate two groups of people mainly affected by medication errors. These categories include children five years and below and the elderly. The children are at risk because the dose is often not correctly adjusted. At the same time, the elderly are at risk because they take numerous medications simultaneously and have insufficient control over the medication level. Considering Options

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Solution

When there is a medication error, it gives patients physical and psychological pain, which is often a result of the suffering caused by the error. It also keeps patients in a serious financial crisis while trying to correct the errors. Medication errors also lead to decreased patient satisfaction and lack of trust in the healthcare system, which eventually results in the number one cause of death in the US (DiAngi et al., 2019). However, solving this health care problem requires joint efforts from both the caregivers and the healthcare system management teams. The inclusion of technology can be an effective way of solving medication errors. With the use of electronic health records (EHR), healthcare providers can record and store patient’s health information for better treatment. The system also ensures that the doctors can retrieve patient information even during an emergency or when the patient is unable to communicate (Sieja et al., 2019). The use of the EHR system in the healthcare system helps save time and finances for the patient. Unlike the use of handwritten documentation, saving information through electronic systems guarantees that caregivers can access patient information faster (Tariq et al., 2021). Additionally, the system prevents the possibility of confusing patient information. Therefore, it guarantees that nurses cannot administer wrong medication to patients. However, the EHR system also has its cons while getting involved in the healthcare system. First, the system creates an opportunity for criminal hackers to access patient information. If the developer fails to provide timely updates to the system, this can minimize the possibility of the system functionalities (Gates et al., 2021). The other downside of using EHR systems in the healthcare system is that it can often break down if the developer fails to meet the industry-set standards. Therefore, this minimizes the possibility of operating the system or giving the patient better care.

Ethical Implication

To preserve the core aspects of clinical and doctoring relationships ethical principles must be included in the design and implementation. It is critical to go beyond generalized support for large bioethics that could develop more problems than solutions (DiAngi et al., 2019). Looking at the patient’s autonomy, new systems will allow patients to access and control their health data. It is a good option to support patient-centered care and patient’s activation in their care. It is, however, critical to ensure that this does hinder physician access since it will contradict the physician’s commitment to non-maleficence and beneficence (Galli, 2018). The ethical principles need to be considered simultaneously and blended in EHRs. The EHR should maintain confidentiality and privacy, data accuracy, and prevent security breaches.

Implementation

One of the requirements for implementing EHRs systems in hospitals is to ensure that the staff is well trained in using the technology to improve patient care. Galli (2018) indicates that there is low physician satisfaction and diminished use when physicians and nurses are not well trained to use the systems. However, where staff is well trained, they will use the systems correctly, and they can significantly reduce medication errors and improve record keeping. During the EHR implementation phase of EHRs implementation, training is important. Organizations should install the EHR systems to prepare the users to use the systems correctly once implemented in the hospital (Sieja et al., 2019). It is also essential to assess the organization’s readiness to implement the technology. The organization should evaluate its goals, needs, technical and financial readiness. With an accurate view of its preparedness, the organization can design the EHR plan that will meet its specific needs, workers, and patients (Tariq et al., 2021). A readiness assessment aims to determine how well each organizational component is prepared. This method can help you make the best selection possible. The results of the data analysis can be used to identify flaws in existing electronic health records and develop strategies.

Conclusion

Medication errors are a common issue in healthcare and cost billions of dollars nationwide while inflicting significant mortality and morbidity. EHR systems are the best method of enhancing patient safety and improving record keeping. It will also increase medication error reporting to allow hospitals to understand why the errors are occurring and how they can be implemented. There should be more emphasis on ensuring the healthcare providers work as a team and communicate and encourage patients to be informed on their medications. Ethical principles should also be considered in ensuring the technology implemented enhance patient and physician satisfaction.

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References

DiAngi, Y. T., Stevens, L. A., Halpern–Felsher, B., Pageler, N. M., & Lee, T. C. (2019). Electronic health record (EHR) training program identifies a new tool to quantify the EHR time burden and improves providers’ perceived control over their workload in the EHR. JAMIA open, 2(2), 222-230. https://doi.org/10.1093/jamiaopen/ooz003

Galli, B. J. (2018). Ethics of Electronic Health Record Systems. International Journal of Information Systems and Social Change (IJISSC), 9(3), 53-69. DOI: 10.4018/IJISSC.2018070104

Gates, P. J., Hardie, R. A., Raban, M. Z., Li, L., & Westbrook, J. I. (2021). How effective are electronic medication systems in reducing medication error rates and associated harm among hospital inpatients? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 28(1), 167-176. https://doi.org/10.1093/jamia/ocaa230

Sieja, A., Markley, K., Pell, J., Gonzalez, C., Redig, B., Kneeland, P., & Lin, C. T. (2019, May). Optimization sprints: improving clinician satisfaction and teamwork by rapidly reducing electronic health record burden. In Mayo Clinic Proceedings (Vol. 94, No. 5, pp. 793-802). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocp.2018.08.036

Tariq, R. A., Vashisht, R., Sinha, A., & Scherbak, Y. (2021). Medication Dispensing Errors And Prevention [Updated 2021 May 12]. StatPearls [Internet].[Cited 2021 May 28]; Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519065/

 

Your assessment should also meet the following requirements:

Length: 4–6 typed, double-spaced pages, not including the title page and reference page.
Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point.
APA tutorial: Use the APA Style Paper Tutorial [DOCX] for guidance.
Written communication: Write clearly and logically, with correct use of spelling, grammar, punctuation, and mechanics.
Using outside sources: Integrate information from outside sources into academic writing by appropriately quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing, following APA style.
References: Integrate information from outside sources to include at least three scholarly or academic peer-reviewed journal articles and three in-text citations within the paper.
APA format: Follow current APA guidelines for in-text citations of outside sources in the body of your paper and also on the reference page.
Organize your paper using the following structure and headings:

Title page. A separate page.
Introduction. A brief one-paragraph statement about the purpose of the paper.
Elements of the problem/issue. Identify the elements of the problem or issue or question.
Analysis. Analyze, define, and frame the problem or issue.
Considering options. Consider solutions, responses, or answers.
Solution. Choose a solution, response, or answer.
Ethical implications. Ethical implications of implementing the solution.
Implementation. Implementation of the potential solution.
Conclusion. One paragraph.