Evaluation of prevalence of medication errors in ICU ward of Shahid Madani Hospital in 6 months

Abstract

Background: Medication errors (MEs) are defined as drug-related failures that can be occurred by health care professionals during treatment process, which cause either patient injury or probability to harm the patient. They are ongoing problems among hospitalized patients especially those with multiple co-morbidities and polypharmacy such as patients with heart diseases. Aim: evaluating the frequency and types of medication errors in ICU ward and the role of clinical pharmacists. Method: This prospective, interventional study was performed during a 6-month period from October 2016 to March 2017 in The Shahid Madani Heart Center. During this period, patient files, laboratory data, and physician orders were reviewed by a clinical pharmacist that attended the ward during morning hours. Any prescription error identified by the clinical pharmacist, and whether it was accepted by the physician was documented. Results: 311 MEs were observed in medical files of 152 patients. The rate of medication errors was 2.04 errors per patient and 0.19 errors per ordered medication. The acceptance rate of MEs was 72.6%. The most type of MEs was ‘forgot to order’ (75 cases, 24.1%). The frequency of two other highest MEs, “wrong frequency” and “adding a drug”, were 56 (18%) and 49 MEs (15.8), respectively.Most of medication errors were insignificant due to active presence of clinical pharmacist. The most type of MEs is ‘forgot to order’ (75 cases, 24.1%). Conclusion: The results emphasize the importance of the presence of clinical pharmacists in different departments of the health care centers and providing educational information to prevent the occurrence of drug errors. By reducing drug mistakes, in addition to ensuring the health of admitted patients, it will prevent the failure of treatment and increase the cost of patients and the hospital.