EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES TO ENHANCE PEDIATRIC MEDICATION SAFETY BY REDUCE NUMBER OF MEDICATION ERRORS AND INCREASE ADHERENCE TO MEDICATION SAFETY PROTOCOLS IN OUTPATIENT PHARMACY AT KFAFH
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Abstract
Background: Medication errors pose significant risks to pediatric patients, leading to adverse drug events, hospitalizations, and even fatalities. The outpatient pharmacy plays a crucial role in ensuring accurate dispensing and administration of medications. However, despite existing safety measures, medication errors continue to occur. This quality improvement project aims to identify areas for improvement and implement strategies to decrease medication errors.
Methods: The PDSA rapid cycle quality improvement method was used for this project, focusing on enhancing medication process safety in pediatric patients in Outpatient Pharmacy. We analyzed identified medication errors to determine underlying causes and implemented several actions.
Interventions
- Standardized Procedures for pediatric medication handling
- Improve communication between healthcare providers, pharmacists, and patients.
- Provide ongoing training programs for pharmacy staff on pediatric medication safety practices and error prevention strategies.
- Create culture that encourages reporting medication errors without fear of retribution.
- Educate patients and their families about their medications, including the importance of adherence.
- Establish a system for monitoring and evaluation of medication safety protocols.
Results
- A significant Decrease the number of medication errors by 87.5% in total medication handling stage.
- Adherence to medication Safety Protocols increased by 90%.
- A significant increase in the number of interventions by the outpatient pharmacy staff by 87.41 %.
- The intervention resulted in a significant reduction in the prescribing error rate to 76.3% postintervention Besides, rates of all types of medication errors declined to different degrees due to the intervention.
- The overall rate of acceptance of the pharmacist's suggestions was 94.3%.
- Significant increase in Percentage of Parents’ Education to understanding and drug- related needs by 41.3%
Conclusions: The efficient strategies implemented positively enhanced overall patient safety in this vulnerable population, improving patient outcomes, reducing medication errors, and minimizing adverse effects on health-system costs.