Abstract

ENHANCING PATIENT SAFETY IN EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS: THE IMPACT OF INTERDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATION ON REDUCING MEDICATION ERRORS

Ali Mesfer Alkhathami*, Mutlaq Shabab Huwaydi Alotaibi, Mesfer Hamed M. Almalki, Tahani Mohammed Hassan Alqorashi, Saleh Abdullah Altwaijri, ‏Mohammed Abdulrahman Alrashed, ‏Salah Mohammed Alshaghroud, ‏Talal Habeeb Bokhamsin, ‏Nader Saeed Alzahrani, Saleh Nashat Alotaibi

ABSTRACT

Background: Emergency departments (EDs) face significant challenges with medication errors, which can lead to adverse drug events (ADEs) and increased healthcare costs. Understanding the multifaceted causes of these errors is crucial for developing effective mitigation strategies. Methods: This manuscript reviews existing literature on medication errors within EDs, focusing on the contributions of interdisciplinary teams, including nurses, pharmacists, and laboratory professionals. A comprehensive analysis of medication-use processes was conducted, highlighting common error types and stages where errors frequently occur. Strategies for prevention were identified through a systematic review of relevant studies. Results: The findings reveal that medication errors in EDs occur at a rate of 4% to 14%, with pediatric populations experiencing even higher rates. Key contributing factors include insufficient access to patient medical histories, reliance on verbal orders, and high-pressure environments. Interventions such as computerized provider order entry (CPOE), automated dispensing systems, and the involvement of clinical pharmacists have shown promise in reducing error rates significantly. Conclusion: While complete eradication of medication errors in the ED is unfeasible, implementing targeted strategies can substantially minimize their occurrence and impact. Fostering a culture of safety and continuous improvement through interdisciplinary collaboration is essential for enhancing patient care in emergency settings.

Keywords: Medication errors, Emergency department, Adverse drug events, Interdisciplinary teams, Patient safety.