FAKTOR PENYEBAB MEDICATION ERROR DI INSTALASI RAWAT DARURAT FACTORS AFFECTING MEDICATION ERRORS AT EMERGENCY UNIT

Abstract

Background: Incident of medication errors is an important
indicator in patient safety and medication error is most common
medical errors. However, most of medication errors can be
prevented and efforts to reduce such errors are available.
Due to high number of medications errors in the emergency
unit, understanding of the causes is important for designing
successful intervention. This research aims to identify types
and causes of medication errors.
Method: Qualitative study was used and data were collected
through interviews, observation and secondary document.
Result: Prescribing errors identified were dosage error and
dosage wri ting error, unclear prescription wr iting, and
incomplete administration and prescription. Dispensing error
includes misreading prescription of look alike sound alike drugs,
inaccurate number of drugs, drugs not accordance to the
prescriptions, inaccurate dosage given and incorrect form.
While for administration error, we found inaccurate time and
technique of administration, drugs given to a wrong patient
with similar identity. The cause of prescribing error is due to
doctor’s knowledge, poor handwriting, and family interruption.
The following factors may cause administration error: individual
character, workload, collaboration with family, and poor family
knowledge on drug collection procedures.
Conclusion: Different forms of medication errors and their
potential causes were identified from this study. Openness in
discussing this topics and acceptance of different types of
errors are critical in order for the hospital to implement
suggested actions to reduce medication errors.
Key Words: patient safety, medication error, emergency unit