Technology and medication errors: impact in nursing homes
International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance
ISSN: 0952-6862
Article publication date: 3 April 2014
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study a medication distribution technology's (MDT) impact on medication errors reported in public nursing homes in Québec Province.
Design/methodology/approach
The work was carried out in six nursing homes (800 patients). Medication error data were collected from nursing staff through a voluntary reporting process before and after MDT was implemented. The errors were analysed using: totals errors; medication error type; severity and patient consequences. A statistical analysis verified whether there was a significant difference between the variables before and after introducing MDT.
Findings
The results show that the MDT detected medication errors. The authors' analysis also indicates that errors are detected more rapidly resulting in less severe consequences for patients.
Practical implications
MDT is a step towards safer and more efficient medication processes. Our findings should convince healthcare administrators to implement technology such as electronic prescriber or bar code medication administration systems to improve medication processes and to provide better healthcare to patients.
Originality/value
Few studies have been carried out in long-term healthcare facilities such as nursing homes. The authors' study extends what is known about MDT's impact on medication errors in nursing homes.
Keywords
Citation
Baril, C., Gascon, V., St-Pierre, L. and Lagacé, D. (2014), "Technology and medication errors: impact in nursing homes", International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Vol. 27 No. 3, pp. 244-258. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHCQA-03-2013-0029
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited