Medication errors: Is it the hidden part of the submerged iceberg in our health-care system?

摘要

Medication error (ME) is an adverse preventable event which happens due to the inappropriate use of medication that leads to patient harm. Such events may be related to professional practice, health-care products, procedures, and systems including prescribing, communication, product labeling, packaging, and nomenclature, compounding, dispensing, distribution, administration, education, monitoring, and use. A major ME is the one, which results in either permanent harm or transfer to the intensive care units or death. When an error is identified, it shall be reported immediately. It must also be nonpunitive so that staff does not have to be afraid of repercussions. An error shall be reported to the concerned consultant immediately. Continuous monitoring and frequent assessments shall be done for the patient. A root cause analysis shall be done for all serious MEs.