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Medication errors in emergency departments: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence and severity

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Abstract

Background

Medication errors significantly compromise patient safety in emergency departments. Although previous studies have investigated the prevalence of these errors in this setting, results have varied widely.

Aim

The aim was to report pooled data on the prevalence and severity of medication errors in emergency departments, as well as the proportion of patients affected by these errors.

Method

Systematic searches were conducted in Embase, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library from database inception until June 2023. Studies provided numerical data on medication errors within emergency departments were eligible for inclusion. Random-effects meta-analysis was employed to pool the prevalence of medication errors, the proportion of patients experiencing these errors, and the error severity levels. Heterogeneity among studies was assessed using the I2 statistic and Cochran’s Q test.

Results

Twenty-four studies met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis gave a pooled prevalence of medication errors in emergency departments of 22.6% (95% Confidence Interval [CI] 19.2–25.9%, I2 = 99.9%, p < 0.001). The estimated proportion of patients experiencing medication errors was 36.3% (95% CI 28.3–44.3%, I2 = 99.8%, p < 0.001). Of these errors, 42.6% (95% CI 5.0–80.1%) were potentially harmful but not life-threatening, while no-harm errors accounted for 57.3% (95% CI 14.1–100.0%).

Conclusion

The prevalence of medication errors, particularly those potentially harmful, underscores potential safety issues in emergency departments. It is imperative to develop and implement effective interventions aimed at reducing medication errors and enhancing patient safety in this setting.

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Acknowledgements

We extend our sincere gratitude to Dr. Chia Jie Tan, Department of Pharmacotherapy, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, U.S., for his invaluable review and insightful contributions to this work.

Funding

No sources of funding were used to assist in the preparation of this article.

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Author notes

  1. Phuong Thi Lan Nguyen and Thu Anh Thi Phan have contributed equally as first authors.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medicine, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    Phuong Thi Lan Nguyen, Thu Anh Thi Phan, Van Bich Ngoc Vo, Ha Thi Nguyen & Khanh N. C. Duong

  2. Health Technology Assessment Program, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand

    Nhi T. N. Ngo

  3. Health Strategy and Policy Institute, Ministry of Health, Hanoi, Vietnam

    Toi Lam Phung

  4. Faculty of Pharmaceutical Management and Economics, Hanoi University of Pharmacy, Hanoi, Vietnam

    Mai Thi Tuyet Kieu

  5. Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    Thao Huong Nguyen

  6. Department of Pharmacotherapy, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

    Khanh N. C. Duong

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Nguyen, P.T.L., Phan, T.A.T., Vo, V.B.N. et al. Medication errors in emergency departments: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence and severity. Int J Clin Pharm (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11096-024-01742-w

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