Hippa

Medication Errors s Medication Errors The last few decades have witnessed increasing cases of medication errors in the health care system. Medication errors entail any preventable state of affair that leads to unsuitable medication. Medication errors lead to harm on individuals’ health and in extreme cases, it may lead to long term health effect or even demise. Medication errors emerges due to confusion in drugs name, poor communication, packaging problem, labeling problem, misinterpretation of handwriting, incompetent employees in hospital and patients’ misunderstanding on drug directions. The health sector across the world has developed various strategies for reducing medical errors and its effects (Becher and Chassin, 2010). These strategies are designed to reduce the increasing cases of medication errors and the impact of such errors on patients’ health.
To be certain that the correct drug in the right dosage and route is prescribed to the right person at the right time, health care professionals ought to adopt and make proper use of Bar Code Label Rule. The Bar Code Label Rule requires the introduction of bar code on specified biological products and drugs. The bar code is then used to scan drugs and equipment to ensure proper drug administration. Over years, the Bar Code Label Rule has demonstrated significant contribution in zero rating cases of medication errors. Additionally, educational training on the most effective ways of reducing medication errors is relatively critical to all health care professionals. Training on interventional risk management, emerging medical errors prevention, techniques can also be effective in reducing medication errors as well as promoting team work among health professionals.
To counter complications associated with drug name confusion, the health center ought to have a systematic and effective drug labeling mechanism. There is also need for pharmaceutical companies to develop a workable labeling mechanism that will reduce confusion in drug administration. The pharmacy technicians should complete medication history on the medication forms to necessitate correct drug prescription. This would reduce cases of incorrect prescription as in the case of Darnell Mares who was given Topril instead of Topramax. Additionally, cooperation between all stakeholders in hospital settings is also effective in reducing medication errors. Pablo Garca was prescribed with the drugs prescribed for Maria Garcia due to lack of proper communication among health professionals
The heath center should consider introducing the Computerized Physician Order Entry. This technique is relative very effective in reducing cases of medication errors. This technology entails direct entry of medication orders in computer system rather than relying on the conventional ways of paper or verbal communication. This technology reduces chances of misinterpretation in decimal points, handwriting and abbreviation as the entire patient information is transformed into digital data. The technology will also helps in reducing cases of confusion in administering drug and treatment among patients. The technology also provides all the required information on potential drug complication (McFadden, Towell and Stock, 2011).
In conclusion, the concern and interest on medication errors and patient safety has become a matter of concern over the last few years. Despite the emerging challenges, the health system has developed various strategies aimed at countering completely the entire cases of medication errors. There is however a notable gap between the existing strategies and the implementation of medication error prevention strategies, creating room for further improvement.
References
Becher, E. and Chassin, M. (2010). Improving Quality, Minimizing Error: Making it Happen. Journals of Health Affair, 20, 3, 9: 68-81.
McFadden, K. Towell, T, and Stock G. (2011). Critical Success Factors for Controlling and Managing Hospital Errors. Quality Management Journal 11 (9), 61-74.