To err is human: medication patient safety in aged care, a case study
- Authors: Gilbert, Julia , Kim, Jeong-Ah
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Quality in Ageing and Older Adults Vol. 19, no. 2 (2018), p. 126-134
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- Description: Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore an identified medication error using a root cause analysis and a clinical case study. Design/methodology/approach: In this paper the authors explore a medication error through the completion of a root cause analysis and case study in an aged care facility. Findings: Research indicates that medication errors are highly prevalent in aged care and 40 per cent of nursing home patients are regularly receiving at least one potentially inappropriate medicine (Hamilton, 2009; Raban et al., 2014; Shehab et al., 2016). Insufficient patient information, delays in continuing medications, poor communication, the absence of an up-to-date medication chart and missed or significantly delayed doses are all linked to medication errors (Dwyer et al., 2014). Strategies to improve medication management across hospitalisation to medication administration include utilisation of a computerised medication prescription and management system, pharmacist review, direct communication of discharge medication documentation to community pharmacists and staff education and support (Dolanski et al., 2013). Originality/value: Discussion of the factors impacting on medication errors within aged care facilities may explain why they are prevalent and serve as a basis for strategies to improve medication management and facilitate further research on this topic.
“Thank You for Listening” : an exploratory study regarding the lived experience and perception of medical errors among those who receive care
- Authors: Terry, Daniel , Kim, Jeong-Ah , Gilbert, Julia , Jang, Sunny , Nguyen, Hoang
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Health Services Vol. 52, no. 2 (2022), p. 292-302
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- Description: The issue of medical errors, or adverse events caused within a health care context or by a health care provider, is largely under-researched. While the experience and perspective of health care professionals regarding medical errors have been explored, little attention is paid to the health care consumers regarding their perceptions and experiences. Therefore, there is a need to better understand the public’s views on medical errors to enhance patient safety and quality care. The current study sought to examine Australian public perceptions and experiences, especially concerning what errors had occurred, the perceived sources of the errors, and if the errors had been reported. This paper reports the qualitative findings of an online survey for Australian residents who have accessed or received medical services at any time in Australia. Responses from 304 surveys were analyzed and discussed, including demographic information and key themes about medical errors, which were categorized into engagement and patients’ voices being heard, the quality of care being provided, and the system’s accountability. Based on the findings, the study highlights the importance of effective health professional–patient communication, enhanced capacity to deliver high quality care, and improved mechanism for error reporting and resolution where patients feel safe and confident about positive changes being made. © The Author(s) 2019.