5 Ways a Hospital Can Reduce Patient Medication Errors

							        5 Ways a Hospital Can Reduce Patient Medication Errors
Research has shown that one of the leading causes of death that occurs in hospitals is a result of patients being given
incorrect medications or incorrect dosage advice. In some cases, giving patients incorrect medication can lead to various
forms of irreparable damage to their health that no amount of new medication will ever be able to fix. That is why it is
so important to ensure that patients always receive the right medications at the right doses.

1. Implement the Use of Bar Coded Wrist Bands

This is one of the most effective ways to ensure that patients receive the right medication in the right dosage amounts
because all bar coded wrist bands have the Patient’s Medical Record number, their full name, date of birth printed on
them. By scanning the bar code on these hospital wrist bands, nurses and doctors will immediately be able confirm a
patient’s identity and access their Bar Code Medication Administration System. By confirming the five “rights “of
medication administration – Right Patient, Right Medication, Right Dosage, Right Time and Right Route, it can be assured
that patients are medicated properly.

2. Ensure That Patients Know Their Medication

It is important for patients to know what their medication looks like and what dosages they are required to take. By
ensuring that patients are familiar with the appearance of their regular medications as well as the dosages that have
been prescribed to them, they will be able to notify a nurse or a doctor immediately if they are accidentally given the
wrong medication or incorrect dosages of their regular medication.

3. Keep Patient Records and Information Updated

Although some patients may visit a hospital several times a year, it is important for hospital admin staff to check their
personal information as well as their medical history with them each time they are admitted. This will not only keep
their information up to date, it will also ensure that any errors regarding the patient’s medical history and medication
dosages are picked up before the patient is admitted to hospital.

4. Ensure That Patients Follow Prescription Advice

In some cases where the patient is allowed to administer their own prescription medicines while in the hospital, it is
important for doctors and nurses to ensure that the patient follows the prescription doses precisely. This will go a long
way in preventing patient medication errors from occurring while patients are in the hospital.

5. Reduce the Amount of Time Patients Spend in Hospital if Possible

Recent research has shown that many hospitalization periods can indeed be shortened, even if only by a day or two. By
doing this, the patient is at less risk of receiving incorrect medication while under the care of the hospital. This also
places less stress on doctors and nursing staff, which also helps the chances of patients receiving incorrect medication to
be reduced.
Although there are many ways to reduce patient medication errors, hospital wrist bands definitely stand head and
shoulders above the rest. This is because modern technology allows far less room for error of any type where
medication and patient information are concerned.