PATIENT SAFETY IN PHARMACOTHERAPY: A REVIEW IN MEDICATION ERRORS AND THEIR PREVENTION

Ashok Nadakuduru

Nadakuduru Ashok Priyadarshini Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, 5th Mile, Pulladigunta, Guntur-522017, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Abstract

Medication errors are a major public health concern that can result in significant harm to patients. Understanding the different types and causes of medication errors is essential to preventing these incidents.This article reviews the literature on medication errors, their types, causes, and prevention strategies. The review includes studies from various countries and healthcare settings. Medication errors can occur at any stage of the medication use process, from prescription to administration and monitoring. Prescription errors, dispensing errors, administration errors, and monitoring errors are the most common types of medication errors. Factors contributing to medication errors include patient-related factors, healthcare provider- related factors, and system related factors. Clinical pharmacy services have been shown to be effective in preventing medication errors.

Keywords: Medication errors,, Prevention, Pharmacist, Medication safety, Patient safety, Pharmacy Practice, Healthcare

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