Takawira C Marufu1, Rachel Bower2, Elizabeth Hendron3, Joseph C Manning4. 1. Nottingham Childrens Hospital, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK. Electronic address: takawira.marufu@nuh.nhs.uk. 2. Nottingham Childrens Hospital, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK. 3. Library Services, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK. 4. Nottingham Childrens Hospital, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK; Children and Young People Health Research, School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Medication errors are a great concern to health care organisations as they are costly and pose a significant risk to patients. Children are three times more likely to be affected by medication errors than adults with medication administration error rates reported to be over 70%. OBJECTIVE: To identify nursing interventions to reduce medication administration errors and perform a meta-analysis. METHODS: Online databases; British Nursing Index (BNI), Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), EMBASE and MEDLINE were searched for relevant studies published between January 2000 to 2020. Studies with clear primary or secondary aims focusing on interventions to reduce medication administration errors in paediatrics, children and or neonates were included in the review. RESULTS: 442 studies were screened and18 studies met the inclusion criteria. Seven interventions were identified from included studies; education programmes, medication information services, clinical pharmacist involvement, double checking, barriers to reduce interruptions during drug calculation and preparation, implementation of smart pumps and improvement strategies. Educational interventional aspects were the most common identified in 13 out of 18 included studies. Meta-analysis demonstrated an associated 64% reduction in medicine administration errors post intervention (pooled OR 0.36 (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.21-0.63) P = 0.0003). CONCLUSION: Medication safety education is an important element of interventions to reduce administration errors. Medication errors are multifaceted that require a bundle interventional approach to address the complexities and dynamics relevant to the local context. It is imperative that causes of errors need to be identified prior to implementation of appropriate interventions.
BACKGROUND: Medication errors are a great concern to health care organisations as they are costly and pose a significant risk to patients. Children are three times more likely to be affected by medication errors than adults with medication administration error rates reported to be over 70%. OBJECTIVE: To identify nursing interventions to reduce medication administration errors and perform a meta-analysis. METHODS: Online databases; British Nursing Index (BNI), Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), EMBASE and MEDLINE were searched for relevant studies published between January 2000 to 2020. Studies with clear primary or secondary aims focusing on interventions to reduce medication administration errors in paediatrics, children and or neonates were included in the review. RESULTS: 442 studies were screened and18 studies met the inclusion criteria. Seven interventions were identified from included studies; education programmes, medication information services, clinical pharmacist involvement, double checking, barriers to reduce interruptions during drug calculation and preparation, implementation of smart pumps and improvement strategies. Educational interventional aspects were the most common identified in 13 out of 18 included studies. Meta-analysis demonstrated an associated 64% reduction in medicine administration errors post intervention (pooled OR 0.36 (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.21-0.63) P = 0.0003). CONCLUSION: Medication safety education is an important element of interventions to reduce administration errors. Medication errors are multifaceted that require a bundle interventional approach to address the complexities and dynamics relevant to the local context. It is imperative that causes of errors need to be identified prior to implementation of appropriate interventions.
Authors: Eva Benito-Ruiz; Raquel Sánchez-Recio; Roberto Alijarde-Lorente; Isabel Iguacel; María Pérez-Corral; Carlos Luis Martín de Vicente; Ainhoa Jiménez-Olmos; Ángel Gasch-Gallén Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-04-06 Impact factor: 3.390