Identifying the most common and costly medication errors: Implications for healthcare managers
Abstract
Medication administration errors, although preventable, continue to have adverse effects on patient outcomes and healthcare facilities’ financial well-being. Researchers have demonstrated that, although process interventions have been implemented, new technology has been deployed, and training and education have increased, the errors persist. Limited research appears to have established the most prevalent, harmful and costly types of medication administration errors. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to assist healthcare managers of inpatient facilities to identify the most common and costly medication administration errors. Donabedian’s model for healthcare quality, derived from the three categories of structure, process and outcomes, was utilised to determine how mistakes persist despite numerous interventions targeted at these factors. A correlational analysis was conducted utilising Pearson’s R and multiple linear regression to define the relationships between the independent variable of ‘specific malpractice allegation’ (ie medication administration error type) and dependent variables of ‘severity of alleged injury’ and ‘total payment’. Results were determined by the correlation coefficient after regression diagnostics. Analysis of the data indicates a greater prevalence of administration errors related to wrong medication and wrong dose; of these, wrong medication errors resulted in greater harm to the patient, although medications administered via the wrong route resulted in the payment of greater amounts. In addition, payment amounts increase with greater severity of harm. Implications for healthcare managers include implementing processes to reduce medication administration errors as well as implementing targeted risk management programmes in inpatient settings.
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Author's Biography
Kalyn Jo Barton , DHA, MHA, LNHA, has been serving in leadership roles in healthcare since 2016 with experience in a variety of sectors, including state, private practice and nonprofit. In 2022, she joined the University of Tennessee Health Science Center as a Business Manager for the Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology within the college of Health Professions. Kalyn holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology, a master’s degree in Healthcare Administration and a doctorate in Healthcare Administration. She also maintains her licence as a Nursing Home Administrator and is active in the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Kourtney Nieves , PhD, MSHS, has been teaching since 2001, both online and in person. She graduated from the University of Central Florida with a BS in Health Administration, a master’s degree in Health Sciences and a PhD in Public Affairs (Health Administration concentration). She also holds a graduate certificate from Florida State University in Emergency Management and Homeland Security. Kourtney currently serves as Associate Lecturer and as Assistant Director for the School of Global Health Management and Informatics at the University of Central Florida. She has authored and co-authored papers for various peer-reviewed journals and co-authored a chapter in a text devoted to bioterrorism. Kourtney is also active in the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) and the Association for Undergraduate Programs in Healthcare Administration (AUPHA).
Ronald P. Hudak JD, PhD, FACHE, is a strategic planner in the Strategy Management Division, U.S. Department of Defense Health Agency. A graduate of West Point, he was a career Army officer. He served in operational, tactical, enterprise and educational healthcare administration positions in Germany, Vietnam and the United States and achieved the rank of colonel. Ronald earned a graduate degree in health administration from Baylor University. He then earned a PhD in health services administration and a law degree from The George Washington University. After military service, he held academic positions at Nova Southeastern University and Marymount University. He also held healthcare management positions in the Department of the Army and the Department of Defense TRICARE Management Activity. Ronald has published in a number of peer-reviewed healthcare journals. He is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and a member of the Bars of the District of Columbia and Florida. He is a contributing faculty member in the Walden University PhD Program in Health Services.
Citation
Barton, Kalyn Jo, Nieves, Kourtney and Hudak, Ronald P. (2023, December 1). Identifying the most common and costly medication errors: Implications for healthcare managers. In the Management in Healthcare: A Peer-Reviewed Journal, Volume 8, Issue 2. https://doi.org/10.69554/ASPK2146.
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