Application of Course Knowledge: Medication Errors

The five significant medication errors in healthcare systems pose potential patient risks. Such errors may be made when writing/filling prescriptions, transcribing physicians' orders, dispensing, or administering medications. Punitive damages related to medication can lead to severe consequences such as extended hospitalization, increased healthcare charges, and, in the worst case, fatality. There are risks involved when giving prescriptions that are similar to other drugs, written in cursive style, involve several healthcare providers, or are keyed into a computer system.

According to Baglioni et al. (2020), it is recommended to use health information technologies to organize the work according to BCMA guidelines and introduce an Electronic Medicine Administration Record (eMAR) system to minimize pharmaceutical mistakes. BCMA utilizes the barcode scan both on the patient's wristband and the pill container to confirm medication administration; eMAR has the capability of biasing the same.

As cited above, using eMAR and BCMA systems assists in minimizing pharmaceutical errors since there is a safety improvement. Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and other medical personnel use barcodes on the patient's wrist to check identification. For the patient's medication administration, they check the eMAR system for the necessary orders. This technology scans medications and helps compare them with prescriptions or assess the dose and timing of dosage, preventing issues like omissions or errors.

One such research question arises from the observation made in this study that implementation of eMAR and BCMA may lead to technology-induced errors, which is not intended. Suppose the barcode scanner or software program does not work as expected. In that case, the documentation of drug administration might be improper, and medicine distribution may need to be faster or more present (Xu et al., 2021). Another disadvantage of frequent use of technology is that doctors may become over-reliant on the system and fail to perform physical checks themselves, believing that the computer will detect all issues.

Despite the effectiveness of eMAR and BCMA systems in MAR management, MAR-interested individuals need personnel to undergo technology training so they do not replicate the same mistakes as those made in using the systems. Stress is associated with conducting manual observations and monitoring strategies and the need for proper system maintenance to keep patients safe. Suggested solution: By frequently updating HIT systems, they extend the timeframe beyond which system failures occur. A manual documentation method is required if the technology is used during a system breakdown. Maintain human supervision and quality assurance to make up for the administration's mechanical style and improve the quality of services and products provided.

Finally, medical errors in the administration of medicine can be managed through eMAR and BCMA tools, enhancing patient safety. However, emerging, sometimes unforeseen drawbacks must always be worked on and dealt with. This is possible through increased training to ensure that personnel are well versed with the system's constant system upgrading, coupled with a work culture that embraces discipline and focus on processes that may take prolonged periods to complete.