Medication use in an imperfect world: Drug misadventuring as an issue of public policy, Part 1

Using bar-code technology and medication observation methodology for safer medication administration

“…Consistent with the recent research related to underreporting of medication errors, of the 188 errors observed, none were identified or self-reported. [7][8][9] Extrapolating these findings to our institution's size of 521 licensed beds, which are consistently at greater than 90% capacity, an opportunity to make a signifi cant improvement was substantiated. The team quickly identifi ed the hospital's handwritten, nonpharmacy-generated, five-day MAR as problematic.…”

Pharmacists, pharmaceuticals, and policy issues shaping the work force in pharmacy

“…The severity of these effects may range from mild discomfort to permanent, debilitating injury and, in some cases, death. The causes of such medication misadventures 22,23 are highly varied and often difficult to determine, occurring as they do at any number of points along the highly complex medication-use process continuum. Errors and anomalies in the prescribing, dosing, management, distribution, and administration of prescription medications cause suffering and expense to patients, families, payers, and health professionals and organizations.…”

Association between drug prescribing and quality of life in primary care

“…These are circumstances that increase patients' risk for drug-related morbidity and misadventures, facts that harm quality of life [11]. Besides, difficulties with medication therapy have a negative impact on the patients' perception of their health status and quality of life [12].…”