The Role of EHR Software in Reducing Medication Errors With the introduction of Electronic Health Record, or EHR, software, healthcare has witnessed a sea change, more so in medication safety measures. Electronically capturing patient health information, EHR systems make sure emergency providers have pervasive access to accurate data that reduces the chance of medication errors. Facilitated Prescription Management Prescribing management gets reformed through EHR systems because all data concerning patient medication history along with other related information get consolidated. Healthcare professionals can quickly access all the relevant data of the patient, including past prescriptions or known allergies and possible drug interactions, before prescribing drugs to the patient. All the necessary information is gathered at one place so that the concerned healthcare experts can quickly go through it and make a well-informed decision. This reduces the possibility of prescribing errors and hence improves overall patient safety. Time is saved and accuracy ensured as far as medication management is concerned by the lean process brought into play by the EHR system. Healthcare professionals will be able to give more time to the care of patients and less on administrative tasks if there is no need to scour through lines and pages of different paper records or numerous electronic systems. Support For Decisions In Real Time Among the most valuable features of EHR software, though is its capability to offer real-time decision support to healthcare providers themselves. The systems actually embed clinical guidelines and best practices in the prescribing workflow. They will identify adverse reactions to physicians with an alert or warning over drug interactions or dosage discrepancies. Empowered with the right information at the right time, EHRs enable proactive decision-making that reduces risks associated with medication errors and improves patient outcomes. The ability of a real-time decision support tool to act proactively for the modern healthcare setting environment is crucial because, in this setting, a quick response to each critical information usually means the difference between effective treatment and possible harm for the patient. Improved Communication And Coordination Effective communication and coordination among health teams serves as the basis for avoiding medication errors and enhancing patient care outcomes. The EHR Software in Reducing Medication Errors will permit efficient information sharing between physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and other caregivers. This is because the platforms ensure real-time access to patients’ information, including current medications, treatment plans, and medical history. This particle of interoperability ensures healthcare team members are up to date with the trends and can efficiently collaborate in patient care. EHR systems reduce the risk of medication errors that may result from misunderstandings or oversights by ensuring transparency in health care workflows and improving channels of communication. When health professionals are more coordinated, then transitions of care become very smooth with continuity for the patients remaining well maintained. This in turn, supports the adaptation of safer practices in the course of delivering the best possible health outcomes. Book Free Demo Automated Alerts And Reminders EHR systems can contribute greatly to patient safety with automated alerts and reminders. These systems are designed to notify the healthcare providers on time about their important medication-related work. The notifications can be regarding renewal of medication, allergies of the patients, dosage change needs, or even more such drug interaction feasible. They avoid probable errors before their occurrence since EHRs notify the healthcare experts in real-time. This feature not only tightens the noose on the risk factor but also tightens the noose for medication-related challenges on the caregivers. Also, automation reminders have an effect to critically improve patient safety, with timely interventions and proper adherence to set treatment guidelines. Medication administration accuracy and completeness are maintained by healthcare teams through reminder alerts, hence reducing the chances of adverse outcomes. The alertness proactive safety aspect of the EHR system creates the difference in prevention of medication errors and improvement in quality of health care generally. Improved Patient Engagement With EHR Software in Reducing Medication Errors One of the ingredients in realizing this good medication management and medication-adherence situation is patient engagement. EHR Software in Reducing Medication Errors ensures patient engagement by allowing the individual to access and have a record of his own personal health information. A patient can get complete information about his medication list, dose, and other ongoing treatment procedures. This brings to light more understanding of their current condition, the kind of treatment someone is undergoing, which in real sense allows them to take charge when it comes to managing their care. Well-educated on their health, the patient will, therefore be better placed to keep on their prescribed drugs and keenly adhere to all treatment recommendations. This kind of enthusiastic involvement can significantly reduce medication errors and thereby enhance adherence to treatment that ultimately translates to improved health outcomes. Data-Driven Insights And Continuous Improvement Moreover, the EHRs have sophisticated data analysis tools that provide much worthwhile information on trends of medication usage, medication-adherence rates, and their impact on patient outcomes. Healthcare organizations apply these data to define trends, track weak points, and bring about targeted interventions. Providers can, use data-driven insights to make constant improvements to medication safety, but finally to deliver optimal care and patient safety. This means that better analysis of comprehensive data sets places healthcare providers in a better capacitated position to tailor treatment plans to meet the individual needs of every single patient. From that point onward, quality of care and general patient-satisfaction is bound to improve through these improved medication management strategies. EHR systems are, therefore, useful in realizing continuous improvement in healthcare settings. This mechanism ensures medication safety and progress in patient care are consistently pursued and realized. Conclusion It therefore follows that EHR software has a high impact in the reduction of medication errors because it improves prescription accuracy, supports informed decision-making and enhances communication among healthcare teams, empowers patients and finally, provides data-driven insights. As technological advancement in the use of healthcare continues to change with time, the adoption of such digital solutions is crucial to the improvement of
Disasters Due To Medication Errors And How To Avoid These? Everyone has to take medicines at different stages of their life. They take the medicine or receive it to recover soon, but sometimes these medications can cause them serious damage or even cause death. In this article, we are going to discuss the causes, case studies, and prevention of medication errors. According to an estimate, a medication error is the third leading cause of people’s death, after heart disease and cancer. Over 250,000 people in the United States die annually because of medication errors. The consequences of medical error include 2.4 million extra hospital days and increased costs of approximately $17 to $29 billion per year. The United States National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention defines a medication error as: “Any preventable event that may cause or lead to inappropriate medication use or patient harm while the medication is in the control of the health care professional, patient, or consumer. Such events may be related to professional practice, health care products, procedures, and systems, including prescribing, order communication, product labeling, packaging, and nomenclature, compounding, dispensing, distribution, administration, education, monitoring, and use” Causes Of Medication Errors The causes that result in medication errors occur at different sites. It can occur due to accidents by the pharmacist, doctor, nurse or consumer. Some errors that eventually result in medication errors are; Error in prescribing the dose, route, patient, time, frequency and drug. Ambiguous prescription by the doctor. Prescribing drugs to which the patient is allergic or any drug interaction is there. Not reading the prescription properly. Dispensing the wrong preparation or an expired drug. Labeling errors. Administration errors in route, dose, time, drug, frequency and patient. The drug is not administered or double-checking omission. Wrong setting of the infusion pump. Lookalike sound-alike drugs. The patient not seeking proper counseling by the doctor or pharmacist. Case Studies Regarding Medication Errors CASE #01. A case study reveals a medication error when a 71-year-old recently widowed female was hospitalized for uncontrolled hypertension and acute kidney injury. She improved clinically and upon discharge, her prescription included Norvasc 10mg twice daily, metoprolol 50mg twice daily, doxazosin 2mg daily and torsemide 30mg daily. After that, they readmitted her in the hospital because she began experiencing worsening fatigue, slow movements, personality changes, and uncontrolled blood pressure. This time they admitted her due to chest pain, and the doctor diagnosed her with anxiety and depression. The doctors prescribed her citalopram and alprazolam for anxiety and depression. She was then re-hospitalized following a fall due to lightheadedness. An admission medication reconciliation revealed that the patient was taking Navane (thiothixene), an anti-psychotic drug, instead of the Norvasc. After further investigation, they came to know that the pharmacy has accidentally dispensed the wrong medication upon the prescription that was clear enough to be read. CASE #02. Another case study reveals the accident likely of ‘confirmation bias’. This medication error case happened at a public school clinic in Missouri and was discovered from an investigation from the Saint Louis County Department of Public Health. The nurse administered Humalog U-100 insulin to the people instead of an influenza vaccine. After administration, the first two patients complained about sweating and lightheadedness. The other two patients required hospitalization for their symptoms. One of them had a blood glucose level of 23mg/dl. Upon investigation, it was revealed that the influenza vaccine vial and the 10ml vial of Humalog U-100 insulin were kept together in the nurse’s office refrigerator. They were not stored in separated, labeled containers or bins. The influenza vaccine manufacturer conducted a detailed analysis of their product. They tried to rule out the error that could have occurred due to the quality control problem. CASE #03. Another case study showing administration error is discussed. This medication error occurred when a 40-year-old female was rushed to the emergency room after eating seafood. She was complaining about shortness of breath and had rashes on the body. Upon examination by the doctors, they found that she was having edema on the throat with mild stridor upon inspiration. Her body temperature was 98.7 F, blood pressure was 100/69 mm Hg, and pulse was 70 bpm. The doctors placed her on supplemental oxygen and ordered the nurse to administer a 0.5mg (1:1000) dose of epinephrine. After receiving IV epinephrine, she started complaining about chest pains on her left side along with tingling fingertips. The ECG showed ST elevation and serum creatine kinase levels were increased consistent with myocardial infarction. The doctors gave her two doses of 0.4mg sub-lingual nitroglycerin over the next ten minutes until her heart rate and blood pressure became normal. Her ECG then showed that the ST levels have returned to baseline. Upon investigation, they concluded it, while the doctor ordered 0.5mg (1:1000) dose of epinephrine, the route of administration was unspecified. The nurse administered the epinephrine intravenously instead of intramuscular route. The patient should have received intramuscular epinephrine as she was suffering from anaphylaxis. The doctors reserve intravenous epinephrine normally for the patients with myocardial infarction. How Can The Consumers Prevent The Medication Errors? AT HOME: Maintain a list of all the medications you are taking. Keep that list with you when you are going for a review to the doctor. Read the educational material from a reliable internet source. AT CLINIC/ OUTPATIENT CARE: Ask the prescriber about the drug, its effect and side effects. Recheck the drug’s name and also the indications after the doctor has prescribed it. AT PHARMACY: Re-check the name (brand or generic) on the container. Seek pharmacist’s counseling, even if you already know about it. Ask for written literature of the drug. Recheck the drug’s name and indications after the pharmacist has dispensed. AT HOSPITAL/ INPATIENT CARE: Ask the doctor or nurse about the drug and its reason for administration. Give a proper history regarding every medication you have been taking. Also, tell them about your prior health conditions. Before the discharge from the hospital, make sure to ask
