Patient Safety Introduction and Medical Errors

Ayat Zakareya Abdelaziz Mahmoud Algabass
Clinical Pharmacist

Corresponding author.
Ayat Zakareya Abdelaziz Mahmoud Algabass
Clinical Pharmacist
Tel.:
E-mail address:

Abstract

Patient safety is an important aspect of health care, including the
prevention of harm resulting from health care interventions. It aims to
reduce the incidence of avoidable harm and ensure that patients receive
safe, high-quality care.
Patient safety involves several factors, including:
Safety Culture – Effective Communication – Infection prevention –
High Risk Procedures – Patient Engagement – Technology Integration –
Continuous Improvement and Preventing Medication Error.
Preventing Medication Error is the topic to be discussed in our session.
How to prevent Medication Error : Implementing strict medication
administration protocols, including accurate prescribing, dispensing, and
monitoring to prevent medication errors while ensuring that the correct
medication is given to the correct patient, with the correct route of
administration , at the correct time and the correct dose.
Medication errors are a significant patient safety concern, accounting for
a substantial percentage of adverse drug events (ADEs). ADEs can range
from minor inconveniences to life-threatening complications. In fact,
medication errors are estimated to cause at least 400,000 preventable
deaths annually in the United States alone.
Medication errors are preventable mistakes associated with the
medication process, occurring at any stage, from prescribing to
administration.
Types of medication errors:
 Prescribing errors (wrong medication, dosage, or instructions)
 Dispensing errors (wrong medication given, labelling errors)
 Administering errors (wrong medication, dosage, or timing)
 Monitoring errors (not recognizing side effects or adjusting dosage)
Causes of medication errors:
 Human factors: fatigue, distractions, poor communication.
 System factors: inadequate staffing, poor lighting, lack of
standardization.
 Drug-related factors: confusing names, look – alike medications.Preventing medication errors:
 Electronic prescribing: helps avoid prescribing errors by checking
for drug interactions and allergies.
 Barcodes: track medications and ensure accurate administration.
 Electronic health records: provide a complete and accurate
medication record.
 Patient education: empowering patients with knowledge about
their medications.
 Culture of safety: encouraging reporting and proactively
addressing errors.
Reporting medication errors:
 Patients: report to doctor or pharmacist.
 Healthcare providers: report to supervisor and risk management.
Medication errors are a serious patient safety issue, but they can be
prevented through various strategies. Building a culture of safety and
utilizing technology are crucial for reducing medication errors and
ensuring patient safety.​
Resources:
 Institute for Safe Medication Practices (https://www.ismp.org/)
 American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
(https://www.ashp.org/)
 The Joint Commission (https://www.jointcommission.org/)

Biogarphy

Dr. Ayat Zakareya Abdelaziz Mahmoud Algabass
• Clinical pharmacist at suez canal university hospitals
• Vice dean of quality assurance department-suez canal university hospitals. Bachelor degree of pharmaceutical science
• Pharm -D degree, Master degree of clinical nutrition