A medication error refers to a hazardous incident that has the potential to result in incorrect use of medications or injury to the patient. The occurrence of pharmaceutical errors can manifest at several stages of the medicine process, encompassing prescription, dispensing, and administration. Medication errors provide a significant concern within the healthcare domain because of their potential to result in adverse patient outcomes, including fatality. Medication differences may potentially result in patient damage as a consequence of incorrect dosage administration (Rodziewicz et al., 2023). This assessment focuses on MHA FPX4000 Assessment 4 Analyze a Current Health Care Problem or Issue, This assessment aims to examine the challenges related to pharmaceutical errors that occur during the administration of intricate prescription regimens to patients.
Elements of the Problem/Issue
Medication errors within healthcare settings encompass various crucial components. Initially, it is important to consider the issue of prescription practices, wherein healthcare professionals may exhibit inaccuracies or insufficiencies in prescribing medication, such as prescribing excessive quantities or selecting inappropriate drugs (Nagappa & Kanoujia, 2022). Additionally, during the dispensing phase, pharmacists or nurses administer medication, and errors might arise as a result of misinterpreting prescriptions or improperly handling pharmaceuticals. The administration stage is an essential stage where healthcare workers may potentially commit mistakes. These errors may arise due to factors such as confusion, external distractions, or ineffective communication. In addition, inaccuracies in documenting patient prescription information or neglecting to update records might result in inconsistencies and potential adverse effects. Finally, it is imperative to take into account patient-specific variables, like allergies or pre-existing medical disorders, while administering medication in order to mitigate the risk of unpleasant responses (Nagappa & Kanoujia, 2022).
BHA FPX4000 Assessment 4 Analyze a Current Health Care Problem or Issue
Medication errors provide a substantial concern within the healthcare domain due to their potential to result in adverse outcomes, heightened healthcare expenditures, and patient detriment. These errors have the potential to lead to patients failing to receive the desired treatment, encountering adverse reactions or allergic responses, or even facing complications related to medication. Medication errors are a contributing factor to the rising demand for hospital resources, as they frequently require supplementary medical treatment, hospitalizations, or prolonged patient care (Feyissa et al., 2020).
The importance of addressing medication errors like MHA FPX4000 Assessment 4 Analyze a Current Health Care Problem or Issue, cannot be overstated in the context of enhancing the quality of healthcare, improving patient outcomes, and mitigating healthcare expenses. Each year, there is an approximate range of 1.5 million to 2.5 million individuals in the United States who experience the consequences of drug errors (AMCP, 2019). According to estimates, the United States incurs an annual expenditure of $38 billion due to drug errors (AMCP, 2019). This encompasses expenses related to hospitalization, medical intervention, reduced work efficiency, and mortality.
Analysis
Although errors can occur at any stage of the pharmaceutical prescription process, available data indicates that a majority of preventable errors tend to occur during the prescription writing phase. Research conducted by Tariq et al. (2020) in the field has indicated that medication errors are frequently attributed to factors such as illegible handwriting, the use of unfamiliar acronyms, and misinterpretation. It is estimated that an annual average of 8,000 to 9,000 individuals in the United States experience mortality as a result of drug errors (Tariq et al., 2020).
Analyze a Current Health Care Problem or Issue
Approximately 35% of medication mistakes are attributed to this factor, according to Manias et al. (2020). Furthermore, it was found that 25% of pharmaceutical errors occurred subsequent to administration, while 18% took place within the pharmacy setting (Manias et al., 2020).
Context for Medication Error
Medication errors were attributed to the practice of verbally recommending medicines and utilizing handwritten prescriptions for patients, which might lead to the incorrect dispensing of medications with similar names. Pharmacy technicians must maintain a constant state of vigilance in order to mitigate the potential occurrence of medication errors. Medication mistakes pose an additional risk, as they not only compromise patient safety but also undermine the reputation of the healthcare professional or drugstore accountable for the oversight. Several factors contribute to the issue at hand, including employee fatigue, the presence of confusing medicine names, extended wait times, a lack of competent support staff, insufficient counseling duration, and the occurrence of transcribing errors. Hospitals have implemented new regulations in response to the risk of pharmaceutical errors. Medication errors can arise due to factors such as suboptimal communication, insufficient training, systemic deficiencies, and caregiver weariness (Tariq et al., 2020).
Populations Affected by Medication Error
Many people are impacted by medication errors, not just patients and their families but also physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and hospitals. The occurrence of medication errors has a direct influence on patients, as it threatens their health and overall well-being. In contrast, healthcare workers bear the responsibility of both preventing and resolving errors that can have significant psychological and professional implications. Healthcare companies are faced with the challenge of managing the economic and ethical consequences associated with drug errors while simultaneously upholding their dedication to providing exceptional healthcare services.
BHA FPX4000 Assessment 4
Medication errors possess a comprehensive influence, encompassing the entirety of the medical field, impacting patients, healthcare professionals, organizations, and the overall healthcare system (Manias et al., 2020).
Considering Options
Several other approaches have been suggested as viable strategies for reducing the incidence of pharmaceutical mistakes. The potential applications of Barcode Medication Administration (BCMA) technology include reducing mistakes in prescription processes. Furthermore, the options to address the issue of medication errors also include the implementation of clinical decision support systems (CDSS), electronic prescribing systems (E-prescribing), and Medication Error-Reporting Systems (MERSs) (Hoppe et al., 2023). E-prescription techniques including BHA FPX4000 Assessment 4 Analyze a Current Health Care Problem or Issue, offer several benefits, including improved patient safety and pharmaceutical administration, improved compliance monitoring, and reduced effort for healthcare professionals. The implementation of Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS), along with the provision of alerts, warnings, and routine assessments to identify wrong dosages and incorrect therapies, significantly mitigates the likelihood of human errors. To enhance the efficacy of medical practice and mitigate the occurrence of avoidable errors, it is recommended to incorporate Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) into E-prescription (Hoppe et al., 2023).
BHA FPX4000 Assessment 4 Analyze a Current Health Care Problem or Issue
The verification of a patient’s bedside medicine prescription can be expedited by utilizing a barcode system, hence enhancing the efficiency of drug administration to patients. The utilization of a bar code facilitates the precise alignment of the appropriate medication, optimal delivery method of administration, and the specific patient, ensuring their timely convergence. Conversely, there exist notable nursing practices that contribute to the reduction of drug errors. In the event that a drug possesses possible hazards, it is vital to do a process of dual verification for the dosage consistently. Prior to making any determinations on medication, dosage, or treatment plan, the nurse must consult with the medical expert or physician (Neal Joshua et al., 2022). Nurses should engage in a thorough evaluation and verification process of their calculations whenever feasible. Clinicians within the medical profession highly regard the Medication Error Reporting Program (MERP) as a secure environment for engaging in discussions pertaining to actual or suspected instances of medication errors. The utilization of the MERP system for reporting errors or potentially hazardous conditions is both straightforward and ensures confidentiality (Neal Joshua et al., 2022).
Potential Solutions
BHA FPX4000 Assessment 4 Analyze a Current Health Care Problem or Issue: The implementation of possible options or approaches necessitates the participation of seasoned healthcare practitioners, typically including physicians and nursing staff who possess expertise in utilizing e-prescription systems. The primary responsibility of medical professionals is to uphold secure prescription procedures while concurrently engaging in the advancement of novel treatment methodologies. In addition to expediting and optimizing the process of acquiring prescription prescriptions, physicians frequently offer supplementary services. The utilization of electronic prescription assistance offered by pharmacies facilitates the process of acquiring specific medications and verifying the most current information on prescription coverage. The implementation of electronic prescriptions has led to a reduction in the workloads of healthcare providers (Khan et al., 2023). This is mostly due to the advantages it offers, such as the decreased need for validating handwritten prescriptions, improved accessibility to medical insurance information, and increased confidence in prescriptions submitted by patients.
BHA FPX4000 Assessment 4 Analyze a Current Health Care Problem or Issue
In contrast to handwritten prescriptions, the implementation of technologies such as electronic prescription (e-prescription), BCMA, and Medication Error Reporting Programs (MERP) demonstrates superior efficacy in error reduction. However, it is important to acknowledge that these technological advancements also provide the potential for novel types of errors and present additional obstacles. Many research investigations have been conducted to evaluate the accuracy of electronic prescription systems (e-prescription) and Medication Error Reporting Programs (MERP) due to the early resistance and limited acceptance exhibited by physicians and pharmacy technicians (Khan et al., 2023).
Consequences
Neglecting errors in medicine administration can result in a multitude of severe consequences. The failure to address prescription inaccuracies surpasses occupational injuries in terms of annual fatalities. In situations where errors in medication delivery result in significant harm to the patient, nursing staff members may experience enduring psychological distress, diminished self-assurance, and punitive measures if they are deemed responsible. The occurrence of such a mistake is likely to lead individuals and their close associates to lose trust in the organization. The financial implications resulting from these errors emphasize the necessity of tackling this widespread and undervalued issue (Ahsani-Estahbanati et al., 2021).
Implementation
The implementation of electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) has yielded several notable benefits in the healthcare industry. These advantages include enhanced patient safety, decreased healthcare expenditures, improved accessibility to pharmaceutical data, and simplified medication administration processes. Electronic prescriptions, sometimes referred to as e-prescriptions, have demonstrated their ability to benefit various stakeholders, including customers, pharmacy technicians, physicians, health coverage providers, organizations, and entire communities (Khan et al., 2023).
Ethical Issues Related to the Implementation of the Solution
Medication errors can arise not only due to the carelessness or ignorance of healthcare practitioners but also from the failure to adhere to established ethical standards within the medical domain. The issue of medication mistakes can be analyzed through the perspective of ethical concepts and standards such as autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence, and justice (Hofmann, 2022). The ethical principles of beneficence and non-maleficence mandate that healthcare professionals refrain from knowingly causing harm to their patients throughout treatment. Currently, a significant proportion of pharmaceutical substances available to the public are being prescribed by medical professionals without enough consideration for potential detrimental effects. Consequently, medical professionals are required to exercise utmost caution in adhering to the guidelines and standards established by their various organizations. The utilization of barcode systems and e-prescription technology has the potential to contribute significantly towards the objective of minimizing drug mistakes. Justice as well as autonomy are fundamental principles that uphold the rights of patients to exercise their judgment and make choices based on their perspectives and assessments of advantages (Hofmann, 2022).
BHA FPX4000 Assessment 4 Analyze a Current Health Care Problem or Issue
Healthcare practitioners are ethically bound to communicate pertinent information regarding patient care and treatment consistently. In the event that modifications to the treatment plan are deemed necessary, the caregiver must obtain informed approval from the patient prior to implementing such alterations. Doctors possess an ethical responsibility to furnish patients with comprehensive and pertinent information to enable them to make informed decisions regarding their healthcare. The patient’s entitlement to be informed of accurate information regarding any medical errors is explicitly protected under the patient’s privacy statement. Electronic prescription systems (EPS), bar code systems, and clinical decision support (CDS) represent a selection of contemporary technologies that have facilitated collaboration among healthcare providers across several disciplines, hence enhancing patient care (Holden et al., 2021). BHA FPX4000 Assessment 4 Analyze a Current Health Care Problem or Issue.
Related Assessment: BHA FPX 4000 Assessment 2 Applying Research Skills
Conclusion
In conclusion, in order for patients to achieve a complete recovery, they must receive treatment in an environment that is free of any potential risks. Mistakes can arise due to various factors, including lack of expertise, working in unsafe settings leading to fatigue, and neglect, all of which contribute to an elevated probability of error. Doctors can demonstrate compassion by utilizing contemporary technologies to mitigate the occurrence of medication errors.
References
Ahsani-Estahbanati, E., Doshmangir, L., Najafi, B., Akbari Sari, A., & Sergeevich Gordeev, V. (2021). Incidence rate and financial burden of medical errors and policy interventions to address them: A multi-method study protocol. Health Services and Outcomes Research Methodology, 22(45). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10742-021-00261-9
AMCP. (2019, July 18). Medication errors. Www.amcp.org; Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy. https://www.amcp.org/about/managed-care-pharmacy-101/concepts-managed-care-pharmacy/medication-errors
Feyissa, D., Kebede, B., Zewudie, A., & Mamo, Y. (2020). Medication error and its contributing factors among pediatric patients diagnosed with infectious diseases: Prospective observational study. Integrated Pharmacy Research and Practice, 9(34), 147–153. https://doi.org/10.2147/iprp.s264941
Hofmann, B. (2022). Ethical issues with geographical variations in the provision of health care services. BMC Medical Ethics, 23(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-022-00869-7
Holden, R. J., Abebe, E., Russ-Jara, A. L., & Chui, M. A. (2021). Human factors and ergonomics methods for pharmacy research and clinical practice. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 17(12), 2019–2027. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sapharm.2021.04.024
Hoppe, J. A., Ledbetter, C., Tolle, H., & Heard, K. (2023). Implementation of electronic health record integration and clinical decision support to improve emergency department prescription drug monitoring program use. Annals of Emergency Medicine, 12(34). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annemergmed.2023.07.002
Khan, M. A., Islam, Md. R., Rahman, A., Mim, A., & Ahmmed, R. (2023). E-prescription: A practical application of information and communications technology. Health Policy and Technology, 34(65), 100810. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hlpt.2023.100810
Manias, E., Kusljic, S., & Wu, A. (2020). Interventions to reduce medication errors in adult medical and surgical settings: A systematic review. Therapeutic Advances in Drug Safety, 11(1), 1–29. https://doi.org/10.1177/2042098620968309
Nagappa, A. N., & Kanoujia, J. (2022). Community pharmacy services: Dispensing of prescriptions, home medication review, treatments of minor ailments, screening and monitoring of chronic disease, and maintaining of patient profile. Perspectives in Pharmacy Practice, 13(21), 111–142. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-9213-0_8
Neal Joshua, E. S., Bhattacharyya, D., & Rao, N. T. (2022). Managing information security risk and Internet of Things (IoT) impact on challenges of medicinal problems with complex settings: A complete systematic approach. ScienceDirect, 291–310. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780323900324000079
Rodziewicz, T. L., Hipskind, J. E., & Houseman, B. (2023). Medical error reduction and prevention. National Library of Medicine; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499956/
Tariq, R. A., Vashisht, R., Sinha, A., & Scherbak, Y. (2020). Medication dispensing errors and prevention. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30085607/
