Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38412194›Full record

ArticlePloS one2024

Risks in the analogue and digitally-supported medication process and potential solutions to increase patient safety in the hospital: A mixed methods study.

Julia Kopanz, Katharina Lichtenegger, Christine Schwarz, Melanie Wimmer, Lars Peter Kamolz, Thomas Pieber, Gerald Sendlhofer, Julia Mader, Magdalena Hoffmann

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Julia KopanzDepartment of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical University of Graz, Styria, Austria.
Katharina LichteneggerDepartment of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical University of Graz, Styria, Austria.ORCID 0000-0001-8778-1994
Christine SchwarzDepartment of Quality and Risk Management, University Hospital of Graz, Styria, Austria.
Melanie WimmerDepartment of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical University of Graz, Styria, Austria.
Lars Peter KamolzDepartment for Surgery, c/o Division for Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery, Research Unit for Safety and Sustainability in Healthcare, Medical University of Graz, Styria, Austria.
Thomas PieberDepartment of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical University of Graz, Styria, Austria.
Gerald SendlhoferDepartment of Quality and Risk Management, University Hospital of Graz, Styria, Austria.
Julia MaderDepartment of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical University of Graz, Styria, Austria.
Magdalena HoffmannDepartment of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical University of Graz, Styria, Austria.ORCID 0000-0003-1668-4294

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundIn hospital medication errors are common. Our aim was to investigate risks of the analogue and digitally-supported medication process and any potential solutions.

methodsA mixed methods study including a structured literature search and online questionnaires based on the Delphi method was conducted. First, all risks were structured into main and sub-risks and second, risks were grouped into risk clusters. Third, healthcare experts assessed risk clusters regarding their likelihood of occurrence their possible impact on patient safety. Experts were also asked to estimate the potential for digital solutions and solutions that strengthen the competence of healthcare professionals.

resultsOverall, 160 main risks and 542 sub-risks were identified. Main risks were grouped into 43 risk clusters. 33 healthcare experts (56% female, 50% with >20 years professional-experience) ranked the likelihood of occurrence and the impact on patient safety in the top 15 risk clusters regarding the process steps: admission (n = 4), prescribing (n = 3), verifying (n = 1), preparing/dispensing (n = 3), administering (n = 1), discharge (n = 1), healthcare professional competence (n = 1), and patient adherence (n = 1). 28 healthcare experts (64% female, 43% with >20 years professional-experience) mostly suggested awareness building and training, strengthened networking, and involvement of pharmacists at point-of-care as likely solutions to strengthen healthcare professional competence. For digital solutions they primarily suggested a digital medication list, digital warning systems, barcode-technology, and digital support in integrated care.

conclusionsThe medication process holds a multitude of potential risks, in both the analogue and the digital medication process. Different solutions to strengthen healthcare professional competence and in the area of digitalization were identified that could help increase patient safety and minimize possible errors.

Indexed as

Medication ErrorsPatient SafetyFemaleHealth PersonnelHospitalsHumansMalePharmacists

Identifiers

PMID38412194
PMCPMC10898776

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.