Analyze a Current Health Care Problem or Issue - Oct

.docx

School

Capella University *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

4000

Subject

Health Science

Date

Jan 9, 2024

Type

docx

Pages

Uploaded by AgentRock12972

1 Analyze a Current Health Care Problem or Issue Michele Hazuda Capella University NHS-FPX 4000 Developing a Healthcare Perspective Jenny Crane October 30, 2023

2 Analyze a Current Health Care Problem or Issue The objective of pharmaceutical therapy is to attain specific therapeutic goals that enhance the quality of life for patients while mitigating potential risks to the patient. The utilization of pharmaceuticals, whether prescribed or non-prescribed, carries inherent hazards that encompass acknowledged and unacknowledged factors. (Mutair et al., 2021) The National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention (NCC MERP), founded in 1995, provides a comprehensive definition of medication error. According to NCC MERP, a medication error refers to a preventable incident that has the potential to result in inappropriate medication utilization or harm to the patient. This encompasses situations where the medication is under the supervision of a healthcare professional, patient, or consumer. (Mutair et al., 2021) The healthcare system is currently under scrutiny concerning pharmaceutical safety and the prevention of prescription errors. Medication errors are avoidable occurrences that may lead to the inadvertent use of drugs or constitute a potential danger to a patient when under the supervision of a healthcare professional or during self-administration. Improper utilization, insufficient management, or inaccurate manipulation of pharmaceuticals and dietary supplements may subject persons to the possible hazards associated with medication errors. Various strategies can be employed to prevent medication errors. Several factors have been identified as potential contributors to medication errors. These factors include lapses in judgment, insufficient training, careless work practices, the existence of pharmaceuticals that share similarities in appearance or sound, and patients needing more professional guidance to self-administer medication. (Velo & Minuz, 2009) Medication errors pose a substantial risk to human lives and have considerable financial ramifications for the healthcare industry. The expenses of rectifying these errors may stem from legal proceedings or the necessity to revise

3 policies and practices that contributed to the error's manifestation. The topic of mitigating pharmaceutical errors holds substantial sway over various healthcare professionals. Incorporating distinct subject matter within allied health or professional clinical programs is of utmost importance, as it reflects our ethical obligation to patients by adhering to the principle of "do no harm." (Askitopoulou & Vgontzas, 2018) Elements of the Problem/Issue The United States provides diverse pharmaceutical choices, encompassing around 6,800 prescription prescriptions and a comprehensive selection of over-the-counter drugs. In addition to the inherent complexities associated with patient care, healthcare practitioners effectively manage various health supplements, herbs, potions, and lotions routinely employed by the public to address multiple health conditions. Due to the extensive range of compounds accessible on the market, it is conceivable that errors may arise during the prescription or dispensation of medications by healthcare professionals. Moreover, there is a substantial probability of drug interaction. Each year, 7,000 to 9,000 individuals in the United States suffer mortality due to drug errors. Moreover, many patients, reaching the hundreds of thousands, experience adverse reactions or confront other medication-related challenges. However, they often neglect to record or convey these incidents. The yearly economic cost connected with providing care for persons who have encountered medication-related errors exceeds $40 billion, affecting a population exceeding 7 million patients. In addition to the financial ramifications, individuals experience psychological and physical hardship and anguish due to medication errors. A notable consequence of medication errors is the subsequent decrease in patient satisfaction and a growing erosion of faith in the healthcare system. The user has provided two references, which serve as sources of information for the topic being discussed. The main factors contributing to

4 medication administration errors include insufficient communication of drug orders, illegible handwriting, incorrect drug selection from a drop-down menu, confusion caused by pharmaceuticals with similar names, difficulties arising from matching the packaging of different products, and errors related to dosing units or weight. Medication errors can be ascribed to mistakes made by individuals. Nevertheless, it is common for these issues to arise due to a flawed system that needs more adequate measures to detect and address errors. (Tariq et al., 2023) Analysis Medication errors can be attributed to various factors, including insufficient training, interruptions during medication delivery, failure to adhere to medication administration principles, and nurse-to-patient ratio. Inadequate training and lack of commitment from healthcare providers can contribute to medication errors. Regular education and evidence-based practices are crucial for providers responsible for prescription medications in the fast-paced healthcare field. Interruptions during medication administration can increase the likelihood of unintentional errors. Healthcare professionals may become engrossed in conversations with patients, causing lapses in attention leading to mistakes that could result in injury or death. Noncompliance with medication administration protocols is a significant concern, as nurses often face workload demands that hinder adherence to established principles. The six fundamental principles of medicine administration include ensuring the correct patient, administering the appropriate medication, administering the accurate dosage, using the suitable route of administration, adhering to the designated delivery time, and maintaining meticulous documentation. Adhering to these principles is essential to prevent potential consequences of neglect due to excessive busyness. The patient ratio significantly influences the administration of

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help