NHS FPX 4000 Assessment 2 Attempt 1 Applying Research Skills

NHS FPX 4000 Assessment 2 Attempt 1 Applying Research Skills

prescribing, dispensing and administration medication errors in acute medical and surgical settings. Analysis showed that prescribing errors were reduced by pharmacist-led medication reconciliation, computerized medication reconciliation, pharmacist partnership, prescriber education, medication reconciliation by trained mentors and computerized physician order entry (CPOE) as single interventions. The authors conclude that a number of activity types were shown to be successful in reducing prescribing and medication-giving errors. In addition, new directions for future research should examine activities comprising health professionals working together. This article is relevant because it offers a variety of different approaches to help reduce medication errors while also offering research-based evidence of success. 

Manias, E., Street, M., Lowe, G., Low, J. K., Gray, K., & Botti, M. (2021). Associations of person-related, environment-related and communication-related factors on medication errors in public and private hospitals: a retrospective clinical audit. BMC Health Services Research, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-07033-8  The aim of this study was to determine the associations of person-related, environment-related and communication-related factors on the severity of medication errors occurring in two health services. A retrospective clinical audit of medication errors was undertaken over an 18-month period at two Australian health services comprising of 16 hospitals. Descriptive statistical analysis, and univariate and multivariable regression analysis were undertaken. The authors conclude that patient counselling needs to be more targeted and that more collaboration 

and advocacy is needed from patients in order to reduce medication errors associated with possible or probable harm. I chose this article because it sheds light on additional 

factors that can contribute to the occurrence of medication errors and offers an evidence-based approach.

Learnings from the Research 

I learned a great deal while researching this topic. For instance, I learned about a wide variety of resources and some of the differences between them. I learned how to use a database to locate these resources. I learned about varied factors responsible for medication errors, risk and otherwise. I also learned about some research-based approaches to help minimize medication errors. Furthermore, I didn’t know there wasn’t a widely accepted definition of  “medication errors” until today.

References

Gates, P. J., Baysari, M. T., Mumford, V., Raban, M. Z., & Westbrook, J. I. (2019). Standardizing the Classification of Harm Associated with Medication Errors: The Harm Associated with Medication Error Classification (HAMEC). Drug Safety, 42(8), 931–939. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40264-019-00823-4