Medication dispensing errors in Palestinian community pharmacy practice: a formal consensus using the Delphi

Ramzi Shawahna1,2,3, Aseel Haddad4, Baraa Khawaja4

  • 1Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, New Campus, Building: 19, Office: 1340, P.O. Box 7, Nablus, Palestine. ramzi_shawahna@hotmail.com.

Insights

Community pharmacists in Palestine reached consensus on a definition for medication dispensing errors (MDEs). This study identified specific scenarios that should and should not be considered MDEs, improving reporting accuracy.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacy Practice
  • Patient Safety
  • Medication Errors

Background:

  • Medication dispensing errors (MDEs) are common in community pharmacies.
  • Formal consensus on MDE definitions and scenarios in Palestinian community pharmacy practice was lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To achieve consensus on an MDE definition.
  • To establish a comprehensive list of MDE scenarios for Palestinian community pharmacies.

Main Methods:

  • Descriptive study utilizing the Delphi technique.
  • A panel of 50 community pharmacists from the West Bank participated.
  • Three Delphi rounds were conducted to reach agreement on MDE definition and 83 scenarios.

Main Results:

  • Consensus was reached on the MDE definition.
  • 49 (59%) of scenarios were accepted as MDEs in the second round.
  • An additional 13 scenarios were accepted, 9 excluded, and 12 deemed equivocal in the third round.

Conclusions:

  • A formal consensus technique successfully defined MDEs and relevant scenarios in Palestinian community pharmacy.
  • Standardized definitions and scenarios can reduce variability in MDE reporting across studies.

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