Understanding Pharmacist Communication and Medication Errors: A Systematic Literature Review

Objective: To better understand the inter-professional clinical communication between pharmacists, other health professionals and medication errors. Methods: This research study used a systematic literature review approach by searching online databases including Medline, PubMed and CINHAL to unde...

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Main Authors: Maryam Sassoli, Gary Day
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: ACHSM 2017-04-01
Series:Asia Pacific Journal of Health Management
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journal.achsm.org.au/index.php/achsm/article/view/105
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author Maryam Sassoli
Gary Day
author_facet Maryam Sassoli
Gary Day
author_sort Maryam Sassoli
collection DOAJ
description Objective: To better understand the inter-professional clinical communication between pharmacists, other health professionals and medication errors. Methods: This research study used a systematic literature review approach by searching online databases including Medline, PubMed and CINHAL to understand the relationship between pharmacist clinical communication and medication errors. The results of this study show that from 1158 studies that were screened and assessed, only 454 studies were initially selected after the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria. A PRISMA chart and descriptive analysis was used to present the result. Results: The results concluded that of the 18 studies, 17 showed a relationship between communication and medication errors, while only one study indicated no relationship. Thematic synthesis was used to classify the result of the 17 studies. The result was classified into five general themes based on the literature review and similarity among the studies. Conclusions: This systematic literature review investigated the interrelationship between communication and medication errors. In regards to patient safety, the research highlights that structured communication is effective in preventing medication errors. These errors can occur within the medication management cycle at any point of the drug distribution chain. This is due to the involvement of different health professionals, and different steps in the cycle from the correct prescription through to correct administration. Thus, to effectively prevent medication errors and reduce the rate of patient harm, structured communication (verbally and non-verbally) is highly recommended. Abbreviations: GP – General Practitioner; SLR – Systematic Literature Review
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spelling doaj.art-bd12b79b6ba845ea91969644feb64e872022-12-21T21:10:52ZengACHSMAsia Pacific Journal of Health Management1833-38182204-31362017-04-0112110.24083/apjhm.v12i1.10581Understanding Pharmacist Communication and Medication Errors: A Systematic Literature ReviewMaryam Sassoli0Gary Day1Griffith UniversityGriffith UniversityObjective: To better understand the inter-professional clinical communication between pharmacists, other health professionals and medication errors. Methods: This research study used a systematic literature review approach by searching online databases including Medline, PubMed and CINHAL to understand the relationship between pharmacist clinical communication and medication errors. The results of this study show that from 1158 studies that were screened and assessed, only 454 studies were initially selected after the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria. A PRISMA chart and descriptive analysis was used to present the result. Results: The results concluded that of the 18 studies, 17 showed a relationship between communication and medication errors, while only one study indicated no relationship. Thematic synthesis was used to classify the result of the 17 studies. The result was classified into five general themes based on the literature review and similarity among the studies. Conclusions: This systematic literature review investigated the interrelationship between communication and medication errors. In regards to patient safety, the research highlights that structured communication is effective in preventing medication errors. These errors can occur within the medication management cycle at any point of the drug distribution chain. This is due to the involvement of different health professionals, and different steps in the cycle from the correct prescription through to correct administration. Thus, to effectively prevent medication errors and reduce the rate of patient harm, structured communication (verbally and non-verbally) is highly recommended. Abbreviations: GP – General Practitioner; SLR – Systematic Literature Reviewhttps://journal.achsm.org.au/index.php/achsm/article/view/105structured communication; health professional communication; medication; safety; pharmacist; medication error.
spellingShingle Maryam Sassoli
Gary Day
Understanding Pharmacist Communication and Medication Errors: A Systematic Literature Review
Asia Pacific Journal of Health Management
structured communication; health professional communication; medication; safety; pharmacist; medication error.
title Understanding Pharmacist Communication and Medication Errors: A Systematic Literature Review
title_full Understanding Pharmacist Communication and Medication Errors: A Systematic Literature Review
title_fullStr Understanding Pharmacist Communication and Medication Errors: A Systematic Literature Review
title_full_unstemmed Understanding Pharmacist Communication and Medication Errors: A Systematic Literature Review
title_short Understanding Pharmacist Communication and Medication Errors: A Systematic Literature Review
title_sort understanding pharmacist communication and medication errors a systematic literature review
topic structured communication; health professional communication; medication; safety; pharmacist; medication error.
url https://journal.achsm.org.au/index.php/achsm/article/view/105
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