The Context of Medication Errors, its Significance, and the Population Affected

The Context of Medication Errors, its Significance, and the Population Affected

The Context of Medication Errors, its Significance, and the Population Affected

Medication error is a worldwide issue that affects all levels of care. Due to the morbidity, mortality, and financial implications of medication errors, it is a significant public health issue that must be addressed. It is estimated that 7000-9000 people die each year in the United States as a result of medication errors (Tariq et al., 2022).

Besides the mortality, hundreds of thousands of patients experience but do not report an adverse reaction or a drug complication (Tariq et al., 2022), suggesting that the problem may be more widespread than statistics indicate. In terms of financial implications, the United States spends approximately $40 billion per year to treat patients who have medication error-associated problems (Tariq et al., 2022). Aside from the monetary cost, medication errors cause significant physical and psychosocial pain, not to mention patient dissatisfaction and growing distrust of healthcare services (Tariq et al., 2022).

In other countries, such as the United Kingdom, a study estimated the prevalence of medication errors to be 12% in all primary care patients, with a higher rate of 38% among patients aged 75 and older (Assiri et al., 2018). A study in Sweden estimated the medication prevalence rate to be 42% nationwide, and in Mexico, it was discovered that 58% of prescriptions contained errors (Assiri et al., 2018). The high prevalence rates and consequences of medication errors provide sufficient impetus for the quest for solutions.

Medication error is an enduring problem for the pediatric and elderly population.  Children who have not reached the talking stage are more likely to suffer medication errors due to their inability to communicate whether they are experiencing any medication side effects, if they have an allergy or when they last took the medication (Nkurunziza et al., 2018).

Furthermore, caregivers, often parents, may be anxious about their children’s deteriorating symptoms or, in some cases, lack knowledge of the medication and may administer higher dosages in the hope of achieving a faster clinical remission (Nkurunziza et al., 2018). In addition, some pediatric drug formulations are sweet, such as Ibuprofen syrup, which has an orange flavor, and risks being consumed in excess, potentially resulting in overdosage.

To assess the severity of the problem in the pediatric population, Feyissa et al. (2020) estimate that 41.8% (n=136) of 325 pediatric patients admitted to the pediatric ward and diagnosed with infectious diseases during the data collection period had at least one medication error during their hospital stay. The elderly are another population group that is at high risk of medication errors. This is due, in part, to the elderly population’s multiple morbidities, which necessitate polypharmacy.

Medication errors occur at varying rates among the elderly population. Most studies, however, assign nearly constant factors associated with medication errors in the elderly, such as age ≥65 years, ≥7 days of hospital stay, presence of comorbidity, and polypharmacy (Gebre et al., 2021). While medication errors occur in other populations, the elderly and children account for the vast majority of the cases.

Potential Solutions

Several studies have explored ways to improve the quality of medication prescription and administration in primary care settings. Educational programs, computer technology, and clinical pharmacists are common strategies used in multifaceted interventions. The education of healthcare providers and patients about medications has been a key area of research in reducing medication errors.

Educating a care provider about medications leads to improved adherence to clinical guidelines, which reduces errors (Mieiro et al., 2019). Similarly, educating patients about their medications and allowing patients to self-administer medications has been proven to be safe and effective in reducing medication errors (Mieiro et al., 2019). The use of automated information systems, such as computerized provider order entry (CPOE) systems, has the potential to reduce medication errors.

The CPOE systems include alarm devices that detect incorrect dosages, frequency, and routes, as well as reduce medication errors caused by physicians’ poor penmanship (Mieiro et al., 2019). Implementation requires an effective information system, hardware, and software, a health informatics group, and the participation of care providers a