A study of medication errors in community pharmacies in some South- Western states of Nigeria.
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Date
2018
Authors
Aina B.A
Udioh M.N
Obiakwo, E.G
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
NAPPSA
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Medication errors can be defined as failure in the treatment process that leads to, or has the potential to lead to harm to the patient thus making them a major public health concern1. They are preventable mishaps that occur during prescribing, transcribing, dispensing, administering, adherence or monitoring a drug.
Understanding the frequency and nature of medication error in primary care is a first step to reduce harm and improve patient safety.
OBJECTIVES: The study was to determine the frequency, knowledge, awareness and reporting attitude of medication errors by community pharmacists in Lagos and Ogun states of Nigeria.
METHODS: The data was collected using well structured, pre-tested and validated questionnaire which was shared amongst community pharmacies in selected zones of Lagos (255) and Ogun (135) States. One pharmacist who is involved in patient care was recruited per pharmacy. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 22.0).
RESULTS/DISCUSSION: From the study, the frequency of medication errors occurrence was very low in Ogun (6%). About 80% of the Community pharmacists in Lagos State and 98% in Ogun State had knowledge of medication error as well as its relevance in pharmacy practice. There was negative attitude to reporting of medication errors occurrence in the community pharmacies though majority of the respondents know how to proceed if a medication error occurs.
The factors contributing to medication errors in community pharmacy practice include poor communication between health care providers and patients, sound alike medication names and poor hand writing
CONCLUSION: Majority of the community pharmacists in Lagos and Ogun states had good understanding of medication error and its relevance to the pharmacy profession but negative attitude to reporting. In order to curb the incidence of medication error measures such as improving doctors’ handwriting, improved communication between providers and patients should be considered
Description
Scholarly articles
Keywords
Medication errors , Community pharmacies , Nigeria , Drug , Research Subject Categories::MEDICINE
Citation
AINA B.A.*, UDIOH M.N. and OBIAKWO E.G. A study of medication errors in community pharmacies in some South- Western states of Nigeria. Abstract at 12th Nigerian Association of Pharmacists and Pharmaceutical Scientists in the Americas (NAPPSA) Annual Scientific Conference and Exposition, Sept 20th to 23rd, 2018