Analysis of Medication Delivery Errors in Medical/Surgical Unit

摘要

An increased number of medication errors and adverse events threaten patient safety and quality of services provided, which is alarming and has become the national concern. Without understanding the medication delivery system (i.e., prescribing, transcribing, dispensing, administering, and monitoring), it is difficult to improve the processes and reduce medication delivery errors. The objectives of this study are to identify different types of medication delivery errors and reduce the factors causing them for a medical/surgical unit in a hospital. Value stream mapping is used to help the healthcare providers visualize the medication delivery system in the unit and understand inefficiencies in the processes. Cause-and-effect diagram is used to identify possible causes of failures. Failure mode and effect analysis is used to analyze the root causes of medication delivery errors. The results of this study allow the healthcare providers to understand the vital areas that need to be addressed to reduce or eliminate medication delivery errors, increase patient safety and improve the quality of care provided.