Chapter 7_ Adversed Drug Reactions and Medication Errors Learning Objectives 1. Describe types of medication errors, causes of medication errors, ways to reduce medication errors, and ways to report medication errors. ● Types of medication errors include mistakes in prescribing, dispensing, or administering medications. Causes of medication errors include confusion, lack of communication, and incorrect dosage calculations. Ways to reduce medication errors include implementing safety measures, improving communication, and using technology. Medication errors should be promptly reported to ensure proper action is taken. Chapter 7 Reading In Chapter 7, the significance of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and medication errors is discussed. A rise in ADRs was observed, with over 800,000 outpatients and 1,735,500 hospitalized inpatients experiencing adverse outcomes. Medication errors, which can lead to ADRs, are also explored, including their definitions, causes, and ways to minimize them. Bullet points Causes of medication errors: ● ● ● Human factors Communication mistakes Name confusion Common human factors causing errors: ● ● ● Performance deficits: 29.8% of errors Knowledge deficits: 14.2% of errors Miscalculation of dosage: 13% of errors Other causes of medication errors: ● ● Miscommunication involving oral and written orders: 15.8% of fatal errors Poor handwriting ● Confusion over drug names: 15% of reports Medication order processing: ● ● ● ● ● Healthcare provider enters the order into a computer Pharmacist verifies it Registered nurse removes it from an automated dispensing cabinet Registered nurse scans the order, nurse badge, product, and patient's armband Registered nurse administers the drug Ways to reduce medication errors: ● ● Hospitals implementing a "read-back" system for verbal orders Designing and implementing measures to reduce medication errors Inaccurate dosage calculation: ● Decimal placement error resulted in a drug overdose or underdose. Drug preparation error: ● Failure to dilute an intravenous medication caused severe phlebitis. Computer error: ● Incorrect programming led to improper drug labeling and medication error. Stocking error: ● Otic drops were stocked instead of ophthalmic drops, causing administration of the wrong drug and eye damage. Transcription error: ● Substituting a "3" for an "8" in transcribing the drug order resulted in a subtherapeutic dosage. Stress: ● Inadequate time due to high patient acuity led to failure to administer a scheduled drug. Fatigue or lack of sleep: ● Decreased concentration caused inadequate safety checks and a drug overdose. Communication mistakes: ● ● Written illegible handwriting resulted in misinterpretation of a drug order and wrong drug administration. Oral miscommunication led to the transcription of wrong drugs.