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Name
Capella University
NURS-FPX 4020 Improving Quality of Care and Patient Safety
Prof. Name
Date
In patient safety, one of the critical challenges we face is the occurrence of medication errors within healthcare settings. Today, we will explore the essential aspect of ensuring patient safety and recovery by addressing this pressing issue. Medication errors demand evidence-based solutions like the global challenges. This assessment introduces a toolkit tailored for healthcare workers to alleviate the risks associated with medication errors and ultimately enhance patient safety. Leveraging reputable sources like PubMed, Google Scholar, CINAHL, and the Capella Online Library, this toolkit is built upon trustworthy data. The primary goal is to create an educational resource consisting of twelve annotated bibliographies tailored to the challenges of medication errors.
Nurses engaging with this toolkit will gain crucial insights into evidence-based strategies, fostering a safer healthcare environment and significantly contributing to improved patient well-being. The improvement plan toolkit offers a comprehensive approach based on four thematic areas to address medication errors and improve patient safety in healthcare settings. It focuses on best practices for mitigating risks in medication error, educational resources and guidelines to reduce medication errors, interprofessional collaboration and communication to reduce medication errors, and leveraging technology to enhance patient safety to reduce medication errors.
Wianti, A., & Koswara, R. (2021). Description of the implementation of SBAR communication. Asian Community Health Nursing Research, 9. https://doi.org/10.29253/achnr.2021.3951
The study underscores the pivotal role of SBAR communication in mitigating medication errors during patient handovers at Community Health Centers (CHCs) with inpatient care. While identifying deficiencies in SBAR implementation, it acknowledges the framework’s significant potential to enhance patient safety through improved communication practices. SBAR communication offers a structured and standardized approach to information exchange, facilitating clear and concise communication between healthcare professionals during handovers. By adhering to the SBAR format—Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation—nurses can systematically convey vital patient information, including medical history, current condition, and treatment plans. Moreover, the study recognizes SBAR communication as a valuable tool for promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and teamwork among healthcare teams.
By providing a common language and framework for communication, SBAR fosters effective collaboration between nurses, doctors, and other healthcare professionals, thereby reducing the likelihood of misunderstandings and communication errors. Furthermore, SBAR communication promotes thorough documentation practices, ensuring that essential patient data is accurately conveyed during handovers. This comprehensive approach to information exchange minimizes the risk of medication errors resulting from incomplete or inaccurate information.
Killin, L., Hezam, A., Anderson, K. K., & Welk, B. (2021). Advanced medication reconciliation: A systematic review of the impact on medication errors and adverse drug events associated with transitions of care. The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety, 47(7), 438–451. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcjq.2021.03.011
The article underscores several aspects regarding medication reconciliation interventions to reduce medication errors. Firstly, it highlights the potential of electronic medication reconciliation to positively impact medication errors and discrepancies, mainly when implemented with a low risk of bias. Studies with robust methodologies consistently demonstrated significant positive impacts, suggesting that electronic systems have the potential to enhance medication safety. Additionally, identifying successful patterns in intervention approaches provides valuable insights for optimizing medication reconciliation practices. Studies emphasizing provider-pharmacist collaboration showed promising results, indicating that effective teamwork can improve medication management and reduce errors.
Moreover, interventions that utilized gold standards for comparison tended to report positive outcomes, emphasizing the importance of robust evaluation methodologies in assessing intervention effectiveness. Furthermore, the article underscores the significance of standardizing outcome measures and intervention components to facilitate meaningful study comparisons. The article provides a foundation for advancing medication reconciliation interventions to mitigate risks associated with medication errors. By building on these positive points and addressing methodological challenges, healthcare professionals can work towards implementing evidence-based strategies to improve medication safety and patient outcomes.
Chiewchantanakit, D., Meakchai, A., Pituchaturont, N., Dilokthornsakul, P., & Dhippayom, T. (2020). The effectiveness of medication reconciliation to prevent medication error: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 16(7). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sapharm.2019.10.004
The systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of medication reconciliation (MR) interventions on medication errors in Thailand. Medication errors, prevalent during care transitions, can lead to patient harm. MR, comparing a patient’s current medication list with records, aims to prevent errors like omission, duplication, and interactions. Patient safety organizations endorse MR to enhance medication safety. MR interventions significantly reduce medication errors. Meta-analysis showed a 75% reduction in errors among patients receiving MR compared to usual care, with substantial heterogeneity. Subgroup analyses by care transition revealed significant decreases, particularly in secondary care hospitals and ambulatory care settings.
The findings underscore MR’s importance in mitigating medication errors in Thai healthcare settings. Strategies to promote MR, especially in secondary care hospitals and for ambulatory patients, could significantly improve medication safety. Further research is needed to address study design limitations and explore MR’s impact on clinical outcomes. MR emerges as a crucial best practice for mitigating medication error risks, with implications for enhancing patient safety.
Jaam, M., Naseralallah, L. M., Hussain, T. A., & Pawluk, S. A. (2021). Pharmacist-led educational interventions provided to healthcare providers to reduce medication errors: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLOS ONE, 16(6), e0253588. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0253588
The systematic review and meta-analysis examined pharmacist-led educational interventions designed to mitigate risks associated with medication errors among healthcare providers. The analysis encompassed 12 studies with varying intervention components, including didactic lectures, practical teaching sessions, posters, and individualized feedback mechanisms. These interventions targeted nurses and resident physicians, focusing on medication preparation, administration, and prescribing errors. The review highlighted the effectiveness of pharmacist-led educational interventions in reducing medication errors, with most studies reporting significant decreases in error rates post-intervention. Key findings indicated that interventions supplemented with printed handouts summarizing session content, posters addressing medication administration errors, and individualized reports to healthcare providers were particularly effective.
Furthermore, frequent educational sessions were observed to yield better outcomes compared to one-time sessions. Notably, the study identified areas for improvement in reporting quality, particularly in ethics considerations and sampling methodologies. Recommendations were made for future research to explore the impact of pharmacist-led educational interventions on other types of medication errors, such as transcribing and dispensing errors, as well as their effects on morbidity, mortality, and economic outcomes. Overall, the systematic review underscored the importance of pharmacist-led educational initiatives in enhancing medication safety practices among healthcare providers. Pharmacists can be crucial in reducing medication errors and improving patient outcomes by providing targeted education supplemented with practical tools and individualized feedback.
Alrabadi, N., Shawagfeh, S., Haddad, R., Mukattash, T., Abuhammad, S., Al-rabadi, D., Abu Farha, R., AlRabadi, S., & Al-Faouri, I. (2021). Medication errors: A focus on nursing practice. Journal of Pharmaceutical Health Services Research, 12(1), 78–86. https://doi.org/10.1093/jphsr/rmaa025
The article provides comprehensive insights into best practices for mitigating risks associated with medication errors, mainly through educational resources and guidelines. It stresses the importance of adhering to established protocols and policies, such as the “five rights” of medication administration, to ensure patient safety. Furthermore, it emphasizes the need for proper medication reconciliation procedures during patient transfers and read-back techniques to verify medication orders accurately. Moreover, the article highlights the significance of ongoing education and training for healthcare providers, especially nurses, who play a pivotal role in medication administration. It underscores the importance of nurses being familiar with institutional policies and guidelines and equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to prevent medication errors.
Additionally, it advocates for creating structured protocols and standardized procedures to facilitate error reporting and improve patient safety. Overall, the article underscores the critical role of educational resources and guidelines in promoting best practices for medication error prevention. It calls for a collaborative effort among healthcare providers, institutions, and regulatory bodies to implement effective strategies and ensure patient safety in medication management.
Paccagnella, D., Isaac, R., Patel, B., & Vallabhaneni, P. (2022). Reducing medication errors through multi-disciplinary collaboration: A quality improvement initiative. Journal of Patient Safety & Quality Improvement, 10(3), 97–99. https://doi.org/10.22038/psj.2022.67108.1368
The article discusses a quality improvement initiative focused on reducing medication errors in pediatric care through a structured educational program and inter-professional collaboration. It highlights the prevalence of medication errors in pediatric settings and emphasizes the importance of addressing this issue due to its potential harm to patients. The study aimed to reduce medication errors by at least 10% through collaboration among nursing, medical, and pharmacology teams. This alliance facilitated the development and implementation of a structured educational program.
The program included mandatory online modules for medical trainees, competency packages for nursing staff, and daily multidisciplinary meetings led by the Pediatric Lead Pharmacist. These meetings provided opportunities for learning from errors in a supportive environment and emphasized safe prescribing and medication administration practices. The results showed a significant reduction in medication errors following the implementation of the educational program. The percentage of mistakes decreased from 89.3% to 12.1% after the first cycle and further reduced to 53.8% after the second cycle.
The findings suggest that inter-professional collaboration and structured education are crucial in mitigating medication errors in pediatric care settings. The discussion section acknowledges the educational program’s success in reducing medication errors and identifies areas for improvement. It recognizes the complexity of factors influencing medication errors, including individual prescriber/administrator characteristics and environmental variables. They emphasize the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of implementing similar targeted educational programs in a broader scale to enhance patient safety and quality improvement in pediatric care.
Alhur, A., Alhur, A. A., Rowais, D. A., Asiri, S., Muslim, H., Alotaibi, D., Rowais, B. A., Alotaibi, F., Hussayein, S. A., Alamri, A., Faya, B., Rashoud, W., Alshahrani, R., Alsumait, N., Alqhtani, H., Alhur, A., Alhur, A. A., Rowais, D. A., Sr, S. A. A., & Muslim, H. (2024). Enhancing patient safety through effective interprofessional communication: A focus on medication error prevention. Cureus, 16(4). https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.57991
The article delves into the critical nexus between interprofessional collaboration, communication, and reducing medication errors within healthcare settings, focusing on Saudi Arabia. A noteworthy aspect of the study is its emphasis on the prevalence of medication errors and the pivotal role of effective communication in mitigating such errors. Prescription and dispensing errors are identified as everyday occurrences, underscoring the urgent need for improved communication channels, particularly between physicians and pharmacists. Technology-based solutions, such as advanced Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems, could streamline communication and reduce the likelihood of errors. However, caution is advised regarding over-dependence on technology.
Recommendations proposed in the article advocate for a multifaceted approach to enhance interprofessional communication and reduce medication errors. Comprehensive communication training programs, structured forums for collaboration, and the integration of communication tools within healthcare systems are among the proposed strategies. Additionally, fostering a culture of mutual respect and understanding and prioritizing effective communication at organizational and policy levels are essential for improving patient safety.
Wei, H., Corbett, R. W., Ray, J., & Wei, T. L. (2020). A culture of caring: the essence of healthcare interprofessional collaboration. Journal of Interprofessional Care, 34(3), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1080/13561820.2019.1641476
The article extensively explores the critical role of interprofessional collaboration and communication in reducing medication errors within healthcare settings. It begins by highlighting the implementation of Team STEPPS training, which aims to enhance communication skills among healthcare professionals to improve patient safety and minimize medication errors. Effective communication and constructive feedback emerge as fundamental elements for delivering high-quality patient care, particularly in acute care settings like intensive care units, where medication errors can have severe consequences. Moreover, the article underscores the importance of a strengths-based practice in mitigating medication errors. By fostering an environment where team members feel valued and appreciated for their contributions, healthcare teams can ensure well-rounded patient care and minimize the occurrence of medication errors.
This mindset necessitates that all healthcare professionals take responsibility and are held accountable for preventing errors and promoting patient safety, especially in medication management. It underscores the collective responsibility of the entire team to safeguard patient well-being and reduce the likelihood of medication errors through vigilant monitoring and adherence to established protocols. A caring culture within healthcare teams is central to the discussion and a powerful mechanism for reducing medication errors. Building loving relationships, fostering an ownership mentality, providing constructive feedback, and embracing a strengths-based approach are vital in promoting such a culture. This caring culture is posited as a foundational element that facilitates effective interprofessional collaboration, thereby improving patient outcomes and reducing the incidence of medication errors.
Hapsari, M. K., Rivai, F., Thamrin, Y., Pasinringi, S. A., Irwandy, I., & Hamzah, H. A. (2022). Analysis of the implementation of effective communication on interprofessional collaboration in the inpatient installation of Hasanuddin university hospital. Journal of Asian Multicultural Research for Medical and Health Science Study, 3(1), 23–35. https://doi.org/10.47616/jamrmhss.v3i1.234
The article delves into the implementation of Interprofessional Collaboration (IPC) and its impact on communication, specifically focusing on reducing medication errors. It underscores the crucial role of effective communication among healthcare professionals in swiftly identifying, addressing, and mitigating medication-related issues within the hospital setting. Communication within the hospital is described as frequent and consistent, facilitated by routine procedures and communication tools such as CPPT (Clinical Pathway Patient Treatment). Professionals from various departments interact regularly, particularly concerning patient care needs and medication management. The article emphasizes the pivotal role of IPC in fostering collaborative relationships among healthcare professionals, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes and reduced medication errors.
It highlights the importance of situational awareness in guiding effective communication and decision-making within interdisciplinary teams. Additionally, it underscores the significance of mutual respect, shared decision-making, and partnership in cultivating a collaborative work environment that reduces medication errors. Furthermore, the study discusses the critical role of leadership in driving the successful implementation of IPC, particularly in promoting a culture of collaboration and ensuring that all professionals receive adequate training and support. Effective leadership is essential for aligning organizational goals with IPC objectives and fostering a collaborative approach to patient care, aiming to reduce medication errors and enhance overall healthcare outcomes.
Abraham, J., Kitsiou, S., Meng, A., Burton, S., Vatani, H., & Kannampallil, T. (2020). Effects of CPOE-based medication ordering on outcomes: An overview of systematic reviews. BMJ Quality & Safety, 29(10), 1–2. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjqs-2019-010436
The systematic review on integrating Computerized Provider Order Entry (CPOE) with Clinical Decision Support (CDS) systems to enhance patient safety and reduce medication errors provides a comprehensive analysis of the existing evidence. The findings suggest a consistent positive impact of CPOE systems on medication safety outcomes, particularly in reducing medication errors and adverse drug events (ADEs).
Analysis revealed a significant decrease in medication ordering errors with CPOE use, ranging from 54% to 92%. These findings underscore the critical role of CPOE systems in enhancing medication safety and reducing adverse events associated with medication use. Integrating CPOE with CDS promises to improve patient safety and reduce medication errors. However, further research is warranted to address existing limitations and build upon the current evidence base. Standardizing methodologies, conducting multi-center studies, and evaluating the effectiveness of CPOE systems in diverse healthcare settings are crucial steps toward optimizing medication safety and improving patient outcomes.
Ho, J., & Burger, D. (2020). Improving medication safety practice at a community hospital: A focus on bar code medication administration scanning and pain reassessment. BMJ Open Quality, 9(3), e000987. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjoq-2020-000987
Integrating Barcoded Medication Administration (BCMA) systems has proven to be a pivotal strategy in enhancing patient safety and reducing medication errors. This approach utilizes barcoding technology to ensure that the correct medication is administered to the right patient at the appropriate time, thereby minimizing the risk of human error. To optimize the BCMA system, a series of Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles were implemented. Initially, baseline data on medication scanning compliance and pain reassessment documentation were established. Regular audits and feedback loops were then introduced to address non-compliance. Education sessions reinforced the importance of adhering to BCMA protocols. Further enhancements included the development of weekly compliance dashboards and a user non-compliance dashboard.
These tools provided real-time feedback to nursing staff and managers, highlighting areas needing improvement and recognizing high performers. A house-wide scanning competition also motivated staff to achieve higher compliance rates through positive reinforcement and recognition. Implementing these strategies led to significant improvements in medication scanning rates and pain reassessment compliance, demonstrating that continuous monitoring, feedback, and staff engagement are critical to sustaining high standards in patient safety practices. The project reduced medication errors and achieved substantial cost savings by preventing adverse drug events. Integrating BCMA systems, supported by structured PDSA cycles and performance monitoring, significantly enhances patient safety and reduces medication errors in healthcare settings.
Craswell, A., Bennett, K., Dalgliesh, B., Smith, B. M., Hanson, J., Flynn, T., & Wallis, M. (2020). The impact of automated medicine dispensing units on nursing workflow: A cross-sectional study. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 111, 103773. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2020.103773
The study evaluated the integration of automated medication dispensing units to enhance patient safety and reduce medication errors in a hospital setting. Most staff, including nurses and pharmacy assistants, were satisfied with the automated dispensing cabinets. However, concerns were raised regarding their impact on workflow, particularly medication access. Nurses from general wards generally reported more positive responses than those from specialty areas such as intensive care units and emergency departments. These differences in perception highlight the importance of considering the specific needs of different clinical areas when implementing such systems. Observational data revealed that the automated dispensing cabinets were widely utilized across various clinical areas, with the highest frequency of transactions observed in the inpatient medical ward. However, there were disparities in transaction times and queueing between different clinical areas, with nurses often experiencing delays in accessing medications.
This resulted in increased walking distances and interruptions, impacting workflow efficiency. While the automated dispensing cabinets offered benefits such as improved organization of medications and practical management of controlled drugs, there were also challenges, particularly regarding access delays and lack of integration with the clinical information system. These challenges underscore the importance of considering workflow management solutions and ensuring adequate staff training before implementation. The study highlights the importance of tailoring the deployment of automated dispensing cabinets to the specific needs of different clinical areas. For example, the hospital’s layout and the distribution of patient clusters should be considered to minimize nurses’ walking distances. Additionally, efforts should be made to address concerns raised by staff in specialty areas and improve system integration with existing workflows.
Abraham, J., Kitsiou, S., Meng, A., Burton, S., Vatani, H., & Kannampallil, T. (2020). Effects of CPOE-based medication ordering on outcomes: An overview of systematic reviews. BMJ Quality & Safety, 29(10), 1–2. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjqs-2019-010436
Alhur, A., Alhur, A. A., Rowais, D. A., Asiri, S., Muslim, H., Alotaibi, D., Rowais, B. A., Alotaibi, F., Hussayein, S. A., Alamri, A., Faya, B., Rashoud, W., Alshahrani, R., Alsumait, N., Alqhtani, H., Alhur, A., Alhur, A. A., Rowais, D. A., Sr, S. A. A., & Muslim, H. (2024). Enhancing patient safety through effective interprofessional communication: A focus on medication error prevention. Cureus, 16(4). https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.57991
Alrabadi, N., Shawagfeh, S., Haddad, R., Mukattash, T., Abuhammad, S., Al-rabadi, D., Abu Farha, R., AlRabadi, S., & Al-Faouri, I. (2021). Medication errors: A focus on nursing practice. Journal of Pharmaceutical Health Services Research, 12(1), 78–86. https://doi.org/10.1093/jphsr/rmaa025
Chiewchantanakit, D., Meakchai, A., Pituchaturont, N., Dilokthornsakul, P., & Dhippayom, T. (2020). The effectiveness of medication reconciliation to prevent medication error: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 16(7). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sapharm.2019.10.004
Craswell, A., Bennett, K., Dalgliesh, B., Smith, B. M., Hanson, J., Flynn, T., & Wallis, M. (2020). The impact of automated medicine dispensing units on nursing workflow: A cross-sectional study. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 111, 103773. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2020.103773
Hapsari, M. K., Rivai, F., Thamrin, Y., Pasinringi, S. A., Irwandy, I., & Hamzah, H. A. (2022). Analysis of the implementation of effective communication on interprofessional collaboration in the inpatient installation of Hasanuddin university hospital. Journal of Asian Multicultural Research for Medical and Health Science Study, 3(1), 23–35. https://doi.org/10.47616/jamrmhss.v3i1.234
Ho, J., & Burger, D. (2020). Improving medication safety practice at a community hospital: A focus on bar code medication administration scanning and pain reassessment. BMJ Open Quality, 9(3), e000987. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjoq-2020-000987
Jaam, M., Naseralallah, L. M., Hussain, T. A., & Pawluk, S. A. (2021). Pharmacist-led educational interventions provided to healthcare providers to reduce medication errors: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLOS ONE, 16(6), e0253588. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0253588
Killin, L., Hezam, A., Anderson, K. K., & Welk, B. (2021). Advanced medication reconciliation: A systematic review of the impact on medication errors and adverse drug events associated with transitions of care. The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety, 47(7), 438–451. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcjq.2021.03.011
Paccagnella, D., Isaac, R., Patel, B., & Vallabhaneni, P. (2022). Reducing medication errors through multi-disciplinary collaboration: A quality improvement initiative. Journal of Patient Safety & Quality Improvement, 10(3), 97–99. https://doi.org/10.22038/psj.2022.67108.1368
Wei, H., Corbett, R. W., Ray, J., & Wei, T. L. (2020). A culture of caring: The essence of healthcare interprofessional collaboration. Journal of Interprofessional Care, 34(3), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1080/13561820.2019.1641476
Wianti, A., & Koswara, R. (2021). Description of the implementation of SBAR communication. Asian Community Health Nursing Research, 9. https://doi.org/10.29253/achnr.2021.3951
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