Affected by a pharmacy medication error? Learn about error reporting for patients and healthcare professionals
Published - 27/09/2023
Medication errors are a serious problem in the healthcare system in the UK. They can potentially cause severe harm to patients and can lead to financial costs for hospitals, pharmacies, and insurance companies if they breach the law. Accurate medication error reporting is essential for preventing future medication errors and improving patient safety.
This article will discuss the importance of accurate incident reporting in UK pharmacies. It will also provide information on the consequences of misreporting errors, the protocol for pharmacy professionals reporting medication errors, and how patients can report errors.
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Learn why error reporting in pharmacies helps to prevent patient harm
Not recording harmful errors can perpetuate medication errors
Pharmacy staff should report every medication error, even if a patient wasn't injured.
If you received the wrong medicine, we outline when to make a formal complaint and when to file a medication error report
If a pharmacy breaches patient safety due to negligence, you may be eligible to make a legal claim.
The importance of accurate reporting of medication errors in pharmacies
Accurately reporting medication errors in pharmacies is important for several reasons. Firstly, it can help to prevent future medication incidents. Medication error reports are analysed to identify the root causes. This helps to guide interventions and training programs to improve pharmacy practice and prevent possible errors.
Secondly, accurate error reporting can help to improve patient safety. Patients can be made aware of the potential risks and can take steps to protect themselves. For example, if a patient receives the wrong medication and the pharmacy becomes aware of this, they can intervene before medication use causes the patient harm.
Thirdly, accurate error reporting can help identify areas where improvement is needed. Reports can identify gaps in training, procedures, technology or equipment.
The causes of common dispensing errors in pharmacies vary, including inefficient systems, poor organisation, improper staff training, inadequate staffing, stress and distraction. With detailed reporting, pharmacies can accurately identify the root cause of common mistakes to prevent them from recurring.
The consequences of misreporting pharmacy dispensing errors?
There are several consequences of misreporting pharmacy dispensing errors, such as preventing root cause identification. This can make it more difficult to resolve for the patient and pharmacy and prevent similar medication errors from happening again.
Misreporting pharmacy dispensing errors may prevent patients from being alerted to a medication mistake. This can significantly increase the risk of patient harm or even death if they are unaware of the prescription error.
Consistent misreporting over time can prevent the identification of areas for improvement. This can make it more difficult to guide pharmacy training initiatives and improve patient safety.
The protocol for pharmacists reporting dispensing errors
The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) outlines the protocol for pharmacists reporting dispensing errors in the UK. Pharmacists are required to notify their supervisors when a mistake occurs. The supervisor will then investigate the incident and determine if higher authorities need involvement. The pharmacy technician responsible for the error must give a detailed and accurate account of the mistake. They should include as much information about the medication, its source, the prescriber, the patient, the degree of harm caused and the suspected root cause of the incident.
The manager or attending pharmacist should also formally document the incident on the Learn From Patient Safety Events (LFPSE) service and outline how they intend to address the issue and prevent it from happening again.
Pharmacies may need to report medication errors to the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The MHRA will then investigate the error and take appropriate action.
How patients should report pharmacy dispensing errors
If a patient believes that they received the wrong drug or the right drug in the wrong dose, they should report the error to the pharmacist team immediately. The patient should also contact their doctor, who will document the error in their medical record.
Patients can also report a medication error to the National Reporting and Learning Systems (NRLS). The NRLS is a confidential reporting system that helps to improve patient safety.
A patient's report might involve an informal written complaint to the community pharmacy or hospital. Give as much detail as possible about the incident and outline your desired resolution, such as proper training to prevent further errors. Speaking to a staff member at the pharmacy can also help to inform them about the issues affecting their service
Alternatively, if the medication error caused harm, you should file an incident report with the General Pharmaceutical Council. The GPC is the body responsible for regulating pharmacies throughout the United Kingdom and primarily investigates concerns relating to patient safety. Parents and legal guardians can report issues on behalf of patients under 18. Similarly to pharmaceutical staff, patients should include as much detail as possible in their report so the relevant bodies can take appropriate action.
When patients should use legal advice
Patients harmed by a pharmacy medication error may be able to seek legal advice. However, it is important to note that not all medication errors can result in negligence compensation.
To bring a legal claim, the patient must be able to prove that the pharmacy was negligent. This means the pharmacy must have failed to act reasonably and caused the patient's injury due to a medication mistake.
Patients considering bringing a legal claim should speak to a medical negligence solicitor immediately. A specialist solicitor can help the patient to understand their legal options and to file a claim if appropriate.
Typically, you have three years to begin court proceedings after evidence of negligence or poor health care standards. You must also prove that this negligent medical treatment directly led to patient harm, independent of any other cause. A medical negligence solicitor can help you gather the evidence required. Wake Smith offers a no-win, no-fee policy, and they will explain this to you in plain language.
Speak to a medical negligence lawyer today!