Medication Error Audits: A Comprehensive Overview and Implications for Patient Safety

Abstract

Background: Medication errors represent significant concerns in healthcare, leading to adverse outcomes and increased costs. Understanding these errors is crucial for enhancing patient safety. Aims & Objectives: This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of medication errors, their classifications, contributing factors, and effective mitigation strategies. Methodology: A literature search was conducted to identify studies on medication error definitions, classifications, contributing factors, and mitigation strategies. Results: Key findings include the importance of standardization, effective use of clinical decision support systems, multidisciplinary collaboration, and continuous professional development in reducing medication errors. Conclusion: Medication errors are preventable yet persistent, necessitating systemic reforms, technology integration, and collaborative efforts to improve patient safety. Continuous improvement and a culture of safety are essential to significantly reduce the incidence of medication errors and enhance overall patient care. The findings underscore the urgency of systemic changes, continuous improvement, and collaborative efforts to address medication errors globally.