Prevention of medication errors. Developing a continuous-quality-improvement approach.

Abstract

Medication errors can be a serious problem that exposes patients to preventable risks. Although medication errors are often considered primarily a nursing issue, every health care provider plays an important role in medication error prevention. A continuous quality improvement philosophy with involvement of a multidisciplinary team is the optimal method for identifying and correcting the causes of medication errors. Careful analysis of the medication distribution system and identification of system flaws is an integral part of the continuous quality improvement process.