Medication Errors Are the Largest Source of Adverse Medical Events in Hospitals

Adverse drug events represent the single greatest risk of harm to patients in hospitals. According to the Institute of Medicine, some 1.5 million people are harmed each year as the result of medication errors, a preventable event. Medication errors not only create consequences for patients, but also raise medical costs by billions of dollars annually because of additional treatment required and malpractice implications. Patient safety and quality health care are of paramount importance to South Carolina’s hospitals. Numerous efforts are underway across the state to ensure the best experience and the best outcomes for all patients. From board members to hospital management to front-line employees, people are working together to bring about change in eradicating costly medication errors.

A common example of medication errors is incomplete patient information, which is often a result of a patient omitting pertinent facts regarding dosages or herbal treatments or over-the-counter remedies. In 2005, Health Sciences South Carolina (HSSC) member Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System’s Patient Safety Committee formed a Medication Reconciliation Team to address this issue. Through the South Carolina Hospital Association, a Universal Medication Form was developed and distributed to hospitals, doctors, pharmacists, and patients. This standardized tool helps patients keep track of prescription medications, over-the-counter medications and herbal supplements, as well as allergies and immunizations. This concerted effort has had a significant impact. Spartanburg Regional reports a 30 percent increase in admissions of patients with an up-to-date Universal Medication Form.

Another HSSC member, Palmetto Health, has undertaken a major initiative to implement a Computerized Provider Order Entry (CPOE) system across its three hospitals. One of the main reasons for implementing CPOE: reducing medication errors. Patient safety is improved by having physicians enter their patient orders, including prescriptions, into computers or computer tablets. There are no more errors due to illegible handwriting.