Risks in the analogue and digitally-supported medication process and potential solutions to increase patient safety in the hospital: A mixed methods study.
<h4>Background</h4>In hospital medication errors are common. Our aim was to investigate risks of the analogue and digitally-supported medication process and any potential solutions.<h4>Methods</h4>A mixed methods study including a structured literature search and online quest...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2024-01-01
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| Series: | PLoS ONE |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0297491 |
| _version_ | 1797279585005469696 |
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| author | Julia Kopanz Katharina Lichtenegger Christine Schwarz Melanie Wimmer Lars Peter Kamolz Thomas Pieber Gerald Sendlhofer Julia Mader Magdalena Hoffmann |
| author_facet | Julia Kopanz Katharina Lichtenegger Christine Schwarz Melanie Wimmer Lars Peter Kamolz Thomas Pieber Gerald Sendlhofer Julia Mader Magdalena Hoffmann |
| author_sort | Julia Kopanz |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <h4>Background</h4>In hospital medication errors are common. Our aim was to investigate risks of the analogue and digitally-supported medication process and any potential solutions.<h4>Methods</h4>A mixed methods study including a structured literature search and online questionnaires based on the Delphi method was conducted. First, all risks were structured into main and sub-risks and second, risks were grouped into risk clusters. Third, healthcare experts assessed risk clusters regarding their likelihood of occurrence their possible impact on patient safety. Experts were also asked to estimate the potential for digital solutions and solutions that strengthen the competence of healthcare professionals.<h4>Results</h4>Overall, 160 main risks and 542 sub-risks were identified. Main risks were grouped into 43 risk clusters. 33 healthcare experts (56% female, 50% with >20 years professional-experience) ranked the likelihood of occurrence and the impact on patient safety in the top 15 risk clusters regarding the process steps: admission (n = 4), prescribing (n = 3), verifying (n = 1), preparing/dispensing (n = 3), administering (n = 1), discharge (n = 1), healthcare professional competence (n = 1), and patient adherence (n = 1). 28 healthcare experts (64% female, 43% with >20 years professional-experience) mostly suggested awareness building and training, strengthened networking, and involvement of pharmacists at point-of-care as likely solutions to strengthen healthcare professional competence. For digital solutions they primarily suggested a digital medication list, digital warning systems, barcode-technology, and digital support in integrated care.<h4>Conclusions</h4>The medication process holds a multitude of potential risks, in both the analogue and the digital medication process. Different solutions to strengthen healthcare professional competence and in the area of digitalization were identified that could help increase patient safety and minimize possible errors. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T16:28:16Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-13c1946b9a504c17be64e23d04eb8249 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1932-6203 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T16:28:16Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PLoS ONE |
| spelling | doaj.art-13c1946b9a504c17be64e23d04eb82492024-03-03T12:55:50ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032024-01-01192e029749110.1371/journal.pone.0297491Risks in the analogue and digitally-supported medication process and potential solutions to increase patient safety in the hospital: A mixed methods study.Julia KopanzKatharina LichteneggerChristine SchwarzMelanie WimmerLars Peter KamolzThomas PieberGerald SendlhoferJulia MaderMagdalena Hoffmann<h4>Background</h4>In hospital medication errors are common. Our aim was to investigate risks of the analogue and digitally-supported medication process and any potential solutions.<h4>Methods</h4>A mixed methods study including a structured literature search and online questionnaires based on the Delphi method was conducted. First, all risks were structured into main and sub-risks and second, risks were grouped into risk clusters. Third, healthcare experts assessed risk clusters regarding their likelihood of occurrence their possible impact on patient safety. Experts were also asked to estimate the potential for digital solutions and solutions that strengthen the competence of healthcare professionals.<h4>Results</h4>Overall, 160 main risks and 542 sub-risks were identified. Main risks were grouped into 43 risk clusters. 33 healthcare experts (56% female, 50% with >20 years professional-experience) ranked the likelihood of occurrence and the impact on patient safety in the top 15 risk clusters regarding the process steps: admission (n = 4), prescribing (n = 3), verifying (n = 1), preparing/dispensing (n = 3), administering (n = 1), discharge (n = 1), healthcare professional competence (n = 1), and patient adherence (n = 1). 28 healthcare experts (64% female, 43% with >20 years professional-experience) mostly suggested awareness building and training, strengthened networking, and involvement of pharmacists at point-of-care as likely solutions to strengthen healthcare professional competence. For digital solutions they primarily suggested a digital medication list, digital warning systems, barcode-technology, and digital support in integrated care.<h4>Conclusions</h4>The medication process holds a multitude of potential risks, in both the analogue and the digital medication process. Different solutions to strengthen healthcare professional competence and in the area of digitalization were identified that could help increase patient safety and minimize possible errors.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0297491 |
| spellingShingle | Julia Kopanz Katharina Lichtenegger Christine Schwarz Melanie Wimmer Lars Peter Kamolz Thomas Pieber Gerald Sendlhofer Julia Mader Magdalena Hoffmann Risks in the analogue and digitally-supported medication process and potential solutions to increase patient safety in the hospital: A mixed methods study. PLoS ONE |
| title | Risks in the analogue and digitally-supported medication process and potential solutions to increase patient safety in the hospital: A mixed methods study. |
| title_full | Risks in the analogue and digitally-supported medication process and potential solutions to increase patient safety in the hospital: A mixed methods study. |
| title_fullStr | Risks in the analogue and digitally-supported medication process and potential solutions to increase patient safety in the hospital: A mixed methods study. |
| title_full_unstemmed | Risks in the analogue and digitally-supported medication process and potential solutions to increase patient safety in the hospital: A mixed methods study. |
| title_short | Risks in the analogue and digitally-supported medication process and potential solutions to increase patient safety in the hospital: A mixed methods study. |
| title_sort | risks in the analogue and digitally supported medication process and potential solutions to increase patient safety in the hospital a mixed methods study |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0297491 |
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