Pharmacists’ knowledge,perspectives, and experiences with mifepristone dispensing for medication abortion

BackgroundThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) restricts dispensing of mifepristone for medication abortion to certified health care providers at clinical facilities, thus prohibiting pharmacist dispensing. Allowing mifepristone dispensing by pharmacists could improve access to medication abortion.ObjectiveTo assess the feasibility of pharmacists dispensing mifepristone to patients who have undergone evaluation for eligibility and counseling for medication abortion by a clinician.MethodsBefore providing a study training on medication abortion, we administered baseline surveys to pharmacists who participated in a multisite mifepristone-dispensing intervention. The survey assessed medication abortion knowledge—using a 15-item score—and perceptions about the benefits and challenges of the model. We administered follow-up surveys in the study’s final month that also assessed the pharmacists’ satisfaction and experiences with mifepristone dispensing. To investigate the association of the study intervention with the pharmacists’ knowledge, perceptions, and experiences dispensing mifepristone, we conducted multivariable linear regression analyses using generalized estimating equation models, accounting for clustering by individual.ResultsAmong the 72 pharmacists invited from 6 pharmacies, 47 (65%) completed the baseline surveys, and 56 (78%) received training. At the study’s end (mean 18 months later), 43 of the 56 pharmacists who received training (77%) completed the follow-up surveys. At follow-up, 36 (83%) respondents were very or somewhat satisfied with mifepristone dispensing, and 24 (56%) reported experiencing no challenges dispensing mifepristone. Four (6%) of the 72 pharmacists invited objected to participating in mifepristone dispensing. In regression analyses, average knowledge scores, perceived ease of implementation, and level of support for the pharmacist-dispensing model were higher at follow-up (P < 0.001).ConclusionMost pharmacists were willing to be trained, dispensed mifepristone with few challenges when given the opportunity, were satisfied with the model, and had higher knowledge levels at follow-up. Our findings support removal of FDA’s restriction on pharmacist dispensing of mifepristone.     

The pattern of the discovery of medication errors in a tertiary hospital in Hong Kong

Background The primary goal of reducing medication errors is to eliminate those that reach the patient. Objective We aimed to study the pattern of interceptions to tackle medication errors along the medication use processes. Setting Tertiary care hospital in Hong Kong. Method The ‘Swiss Cheese Model’ was used to explain the interceptions targeting medication error reporting over 5 years (2006–2010). Main outcome measures Proportions of prescribing, dispensing and drug administration errors intercepted by pharmacists and nurses; proportions of prescribing, dispensing and drug administration errors that reached the patient. Results Our analysis included 1,268 in-patient medication errors, of which 53.4 % were related to prescribing, 29.0 % to administration and 17.6 % to dispensing. 34.1 % of all medication errors (4.9 % prescribing, 26.8 % drug administration and 2.4 % dispensing) were not intercepted. Pharmacy staff intercepted 85.4 % of the prescribing errors. Nurses detected 83.0 % of dispensing and 5.0 % of prescribing errors. However, 92.4 % of all drug administration errors reached the patient. Conclusions Having a preventive measure at each stage of the medication use process helps to prevent most errors. Most drug administration errors reach the patient as there is no defense against these. Therefore, more interventions to prevent drug administration errors are warranted.     

Evaluation of a medication error monitoring system to reduce the incidence of medication errors in a clinical setting

BackgroundMedication errors have significant health and economic consequences. Monitoring medication errors by implementing monitoring systems proved in the USA and European countries since 1990s to be an effective method for error detection, leading to improved safety at all levels of health care. Currently, China does not have a universal medication error monitoring system.ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of the Medication Error Monitoring System for the reduction of medication errors in Xiamen Maternity and Child Care Hospital.MethodsBetween January–June 2014, the Medication Error Monitoring System developed by Xiamen Maternity and Child Care Hospital was employed to monitor medication errors through error reporting by physicians and pharmacists. The errors collected by this system were then thoroughly assessed and addressed by specific improvements including more frequent training, introducing computerised prescribing systems and a bar-coding medicine dispensing system. Data collected from January–June 2015, was then compared with the data collected in 2014 to determine whether medication errors had been reduced.ResultsBetween 2014 and 2015, the total medication errors in prescribing and dispensing were reduced by approximately 27%. Compared with 2014, there was a marked reduction in the number of errors due to misdiagnoses and inappropriate usage/dosage in 2015, while the number of data entry errors increased and became the most common cause of medication error. The success rate of pharmacy interventions increased from 95.25% to 96.88%, albeit modest. However, across all medication errors in the stage of prescribing and dispensing, non-human-related errors significantly decreased from 44.25% in 2014 to 37.94% in 2015 with a p value of 0.021.ConclusionThe Medication Error Monitoring System is effective at monitoring medication error data, leading to a reduction in reported medication errors. Better training for hospital staff including doctors and pharmacists will be critical to reduce human-related medication errors in the hospital.     

The relationships among work stress,strain and self-reported errors in UK community pharmacy

BackgroundChanges in the UK community pharmacy profession including new contractual frameworks, expansion of services, and increasing levels of workload have prompted concerns about rising levels of workplace stress and overload. This has implications for pharmacist health and well-being and the occurrence of errors that pose a risk to patient safety. Despite these concerns being voiced in the profession, few studies have explored work stress in the community pharmacy context.ObjectivesTo investigate work-related stress among UK community pharmacists and to explore its relationships with pharmacists' psychological and physical well-being, and the occurrence of self-reported dispensing errors and detection of prescribing errors.MethodA cross-sectional postal survey of a random sample of practicing community pharmacists (n = 903) used ASSET (A Shortened Stress Evaluation Tool) and questions relating to self-reported involvement in errors. Stress data were compared to general working population norms, and regressed on well-being and self-reported errors.ResultsAnalysis of the data revealed that pharmacists reported significantly higher levels of workplace stressors than the general working population, with concerns about work-life balance, the nature of the job, and work relationships being the most influential on health and well-being. Despite this, pharmacists were not found to report worse health than the general working population. Self-reported error involvement was linked to both high dispensing volume and being troubled by perceived overload (dispensing errors), and resources and communication (detection of prescribing errors).ConclusionsThis study contributes to the literature by benchmarking community pharmacists' health and well-being, and investigating sources of stress using a quantitative approach. A further important contribution to the literature is the identification of a quantitative link between high workload and self-reported dispensing errors.     

Key factors underlying the willingness of patients with cancer to participate in medication redispensing

BackgroundRedispensing medication unused by patients to other patients could reduce the environmental burden of medication waste. Simultaneously, associated financial loss could be reduced, particularly for expensive medication such as oral anticancer drugs. An important determinant for successful medication redispensing is patient participation.Objective(s)To identify key factors underlying the willingness of patients with cancer to participate in the redispensing of unused oral anticancer drugs.MethodsSemi-structured interviews via telephone or video call were conducted with adult patients diagnosed with cancer from two Dutch hospitals. The interview guide was framed using the COM-B model for behavioural change, to elicit patients' capability, opportunity and motivation to participate in medication redispensing. Questions were related to patients’ willingness to accept redispensed medication, reasons thereof, perceived concerns and needs. Inductive thematic analysis was applied.ResultsSeventeen patients (aged 38–82 years, 71% female), with nine different types of cancer participated. The majority of participants supported medication redispensing.Four categories of key factors underlying the willingness of patients with cancer to participate in medication redispensing were identified. First, the driver for participation was having positive societal impact, relating to affordability and sustainability of healthcare. Second, having trust in product quality was a requirement, influenced by preconceived beliefs, quality assurance and patients’ knowledge of this process. Third, a facilitator for participating in medication redispensing was adequate provision of information. This concerned awareness of medication waste, information about medication redispensing, support from healthcare providers and other patients, and insight into medication dispensing history. Last, a convenient process for returning unused medication to pharmacies would facilitate participation in medication redispensing.ConclusionsThe willingness of patients with cancer to participate in medication redispensing relates to a drive for achieving positive societal impact, provided that medication is of high quality, there is adequate information provision and a convenient process.     

Medication error awareness among health care providers in Palestine: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional observational study

BackgroundIncreased awareness among healthcare professionals regarding medication errors and the establishment of a medication error reporting system can significantly reduce the prevalence of medication errors. Unfortunately, Palestine lacks a regulatory system for the control, reporting, and education of medication errors.ObjectivesThis study aimed to assess the awareness of medication errors and reporting of medication errors in the Palestinian medical community.MethodsA cross-sectional observational study was conducted using a self-administered survey involving doctors, nurses, and pharmacists in Palestine. The survey consisted of 20 questions to assess healthcare providers' awareness and course of actions related to medication errors. Data were collected from February 2020 to April 2020. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for data analysis. This study was approved by the ethical committee of Birzeit University.ResultsA total of 394 participants were included, including 202 nurses, 114 doctors, and 78 pharmacists. 203 (51.5%) had a good awareness level of medication errors, whereas 126 (32%) and 65 (16.5%) had average awareness and poor awareness levels, respectively. In addition, 66.0% of providers did not inform the patients after recognizing the error. Fear of legal or social consequences and being too busy are significant barriers to reporting medication errors. Moreover, 35 % of all providers were not aware of the reporting system in their institutions or the reporting methodology, and only 26% of all participants confirmed that their institutions provided continuous education on medication errors.ConclusionThis study revealed differences in healthcare professionals' awareness of medication errors. The study's findings emphasize the urgent need to adopt appropriate measures to raise awareness about medication errors among healthcare providers in Palestine. Furthermore, establishing a regulatory policy and a national medication error reporting system to improve medication safety.     

Patients with rare diseases using pharmacists for medication information

Objectives:To determine whether patients with a rare illness (1) use pharmacists for medication information more or less frequently than physicians and the Internet, (2) perceive pharmacists as a more or less credible medical information resource than physicians and the Internet, and (3) obtain different types of medication information from pharmacists, physicians, and the Internet.Design:Cross-sectional survey.Setting:Online data collected between 2008 and 2009.Patients:Adult, English-proficient vasculitis patients (n = 232) who were taking at least one medication to treat their vasculitis.Intervention:Administration of online survey.Main outcome measures:Patient use of pharmacists, physicians, and the Internet for medication information; perceived credibility of pharmacists, physicians, and the Internet as sources of medication information; and types of medication information obtained from pharmacists, physicians, and the Internet.Results:Participants consulted physicians and the Internet more than pharmacists for medication information; only 96 participants (41.4%) ever used pharmacists for vasculitis medication information. Females and participants who used community pharmacies were significantly more likely to consult pharmacists for medication information as compared with males and patients who did not use community pharmacies. Participants perceived pharmacists were a less credible source of medication information than physicians and the Internet. Participants used physicians and/or the Internet more than pharmacists for five of eight types of medication information, including adverse effects and drug effectiveness.Conclusion:Vasculitis patients consulted sources other than pharmacists for medication information. Several factors, including perceived pharmacist credibility and a noncommunity-based pharmacy, may contribute to infrequent patient use of pharmacists as a medication information source. Future qualitative research should document how patients with rare disease perceive and interact with pharmacists to understand why many view pharmacists as only moderately credible sources of medication information.