Evaluating the impact of various medication safety risk reduction strategies on medication errors in an Australian...

Background Medication errors remain the second common type of preventable incidents reported in Australian hospitals contributing to a significant morbidity and mortality to the society. Objectives The primary objective was to evaluate the impact of multiple patient-centred and system redesign strategies on medication errors across an Australian Health service. The secondary aim is to assess the impact of these strategies on patients 'satisfaction. Methods Multiple patient centred and system redesign stratrgies were implemented to reduce medication errors across a 450 bed Australian hospital through optimising steps in the medication management cycle to improve patient care and experience. The various types of strategies have been implemented over 2.5 years (May 2015-Dec 2017) through successful engagement with various stakeholders including doctors, pharmacists, nurses, and patients. Baseline data of total medication errors, the number of prescribing errors and medication errors with harm reported in the hospital's electronic incident medication management systems were collected for 6 months pre and post implementation of all medication safety strategies to measure their overall impact on the medication management cycle. A qualitative and quantitative standard patient satisfaction survey was also sought pre and post intervention phase. Results The various strategies were successfully implemented with stakeholders. The number of reported medication errors has reduced in the post intervention phase (656 vs 534). The total number of prescribing errors and reported medication errors with harm have also reduced post the intervention phase P < 0.0076 and P < 0.05 respectively. Error rates for common medications errors have significantly reduced, P < 0.001. Additionally, patients' satisfaction has also increased, P < 0.0001. Conclusion Introducing multifaceted redesign strategies across hospitals coupled with a patient centred care approach drive excellence in healthcare.