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Types, Prevalence, and Potential Clinical Significance of Medication Administration Errors in Assisted Living.
- Source :
-
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society . Jul2008, Vol. 56 Issue 7, p1199-1205. 7p. 3 Charts, 1 Graph. - Publication Year :
- 2008
-
Abstract
- OBJECTIVES: To describe the types and potential clinical significance of medication administration errors in assisted living (AL). DESIGN: Cross-sectional observational study. SETTING: This study was conducted in 12 AL settings in three states (Oregon, Washington, and New Jersey). PARTICIPANTS: Participants included 29 unlicensed assistive personnel and 510 AL residents. MEASUREMENTS: Medication administration observations, chart review, and determination of rates, types, and potential clinical significance of errors using standardized methodology. RESULTS: Of 4,866 observations, 1,373 errors were observed (28.2% error rate). Of these, 70.8% were wrong time, 12.9% wrong dose, 11.1% omitted dose, 3.5% extra dose, 1.5% unauthorized drug, and 0.2% wrong drug. Excluding wrong time, the overall error rate dropped to 8.2%. Of the 1,373 errors, three were rated as having potential clinical significance. CONCLUSION: A high number of daily medications are given in AL. Wrong time accounted for the majority of the errors. The bulk of the medications are low risk and routine; to promote optimal care delivery, clinicians need to focus on high-risk medications and residents with complex health problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- *MEDICATION errors
*CONGREGATE housing
*MEDICAL personnel
*NURSING care facilities
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00028614
- Volume :
- 56
- Issue :
- 7
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 33388876
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-5415.2008.01754.x