Question

What are the different perspectives of health information technology user, management and health IT administrator are involved in the process of reporting medication error in clinical setting?

Answer 1

Reporting medication errors is necessary for limiting the occurrences of medication errors and developing the strategies to prevent further errors. Health information technology users, management, and health IT administrator involved in the process of reporting medication errors in a clinical setting have different perspectives. Medication errors are reported in the medication error sheet and are grouped in 3 categories, prescribing, dispensing, and administration. For a HIT user medication errors need to be reported as they increase the reliability/credibility of HIT and electronic medical records. From the management's perspective, even though medication error reporting enhances patient safety by reducing adverse events, there is an inclination towards hiding medication errors. For a health IT administrator, any medication error should be reported for the proper functioning and administration.