Multidisciplinary Delphi study validated variables for calculating cost of medication errors in the Sri Lankan...

Area of Science:

• Health Economics
• Medication Safety
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Medication errors represent a significant but unquantified burden on healthcare systems.
• A standardized methodology and list of cost variables for medication errors are currently lacking.
• This study addresses the need for a provider-perspective cost analysis of medication errors in Sri Lanka.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a Standard List of Cost Variables (SLCV) for calculating medication error costs.
• To develop a guideline for utilizing these cost variables.
• To assess the accessibility and measurability of identified cost variables within Sri Lankan healthcare settings.

Main Methods:

• A systematic review identified global cost variables for medication errors.
• A Delphi study with 18 experts evaluated the appropriateness, accuracy, accessibility, and measurability of these variables.
• A hospital bill analysis assessed the practical accessibility and measurability of the selected cost variables.

Main Results:

• Nine of 13 initial cost variables were deemed appropriate in Delphi Round 1, but none were accessible or measurable.
• A guideline was developed, leading to the retention of an eight-variable SLCV in Delphi Round 2.
• Hospital bill analysis confirmed the accessibility and measurability of most variables in the developed SLCV.

Conclusions:

• A validated SLCV of eight variables and an accompanying guideline were developed for Sri Lanka.
• The study successfully established a framework for costing medication errors from a provider's perspective.
• The findings provide a foundation for more accurate economic evaluations of medication errors in the region.