OBJECTIVE We sought to assess the epidemiology of medication errors (MEs) and adverse drug events (ADEs) in a psychiatric hospital. METHODS We conducted a 6-month prospective observational study in a 172-bed academic psychiatric hospital. Errors and ADEs were found by way of chart review, staff reports and pharmacy intervention reports. Physicians rated incidents as to the presence of injury,...

To cite: Mintzes B. BMJ Qual Saf 2013;22:702–704. Medication-related adverse events are a major cause of disability and death, and one of the most common reasons that patients attend hospital emergency departments. Much of this harm is preventable, either because a less hazardous treatment is available, the medicine is not really needed, or it is inappropriate for this specific patient. Many in...

Methods A prospective study which enrolled unscheduled patients presenting to a regional emergency department. In the control group, medication history, registration and reconciliation was conducted by junior doctors. Duration for medical journal record and medication registration was noticed separately. In the intervention group, clinical pharmacists conducted medication history, registration ...

CONTEXT Research has documented the problem of medication administration errors and their causes. However, little is known about how nurses administer medications safely or how existing systems facilitate or hinder medication administration; this represents a missed opportunity for implementation of practical, effective, and low-cost strategies to increase safety. AIM To identify system facto...

Medications used in emergency medicine are often "high alert" medications that have to be handled with deliberation. These medications, used every day in the emergency department, are associated with numerous errors. Even newer medications are prone to error. This makes it important for emergency department nurses and health care professionals to develop and implement mechanisms for preventing ...

PURPOSE The accuracy, efficiency, and efficacy of four commonly recommended medication safety assessment methodologies were systematically reviewed. METHODS Medical literature databases were systematically searched for any comparative study conducted between January 2000 and October 2009 in which at least two of the four methodologies-incident report review, direct observation, chart review, ...

Carol A. Keohane is Project Director for the Center of Excellence for Patient Safety Research and Practice at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Mass. The Center’s efforts are aimed at improving medication safety across clinical settings. Judy Hayes is the Director of Professional Practice Quality and Staff Development at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Ms Hayes is considered a leader in imple...

“Can I use a teaspoon to measure my cough syrup?” “Is it ok crush pills?” “Are generic and brand name drugs really the same?” Institute of Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) fellow emergency room nurse, Michelle Bell, medication safety officer for Children’s Hospital Philadelphia, Sharon Camperchioli, answer patient questions about medication.

BACKGROUND Medication errors are a common source of adverse healthcare incidents particularly in the emergency department (ED) that has a number of factors that make it prone to medication errors. This project aims to reduce medication errors and improve the health and economic outcomes of clinical care in Hong Kong ED. METHODS In 2009, a task group was formed to identify problems that potent...