Frontiers in Public Health (Nov 2020)

Risk Factors Associated With Medication Errors Among Patients Suffering From Chronic Disorders

  • Muhammad Fawad Rasool,
  • Anees ur Rehman,
  • Anees ur Rehman,
  • Imran Imran,
  • Sameen Abbas,
  • Shahid Shah,
  • Ghulam Abbas,
  • Irfanullah Khan,
  • Sadia Shakeel,
  • Sadia Shakeel,
  • Mohamed Azmi Ahmad Hassali,
  • Khezar Hayat

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2020.531038
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8

Abstract

Read online

Introduction: Medication error is unintentional and can be reduced by reducing the risk factors. Patients suffering from chronic diseases are at an increased risk of medication errors.Objective: This work aims to assess the risk factors associated with medication errors among patients suffering from chronic disorders in hospitals of South Punjab, Pakistan.Methodology: Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to assess the impact of different risk factors on the prevalence of medication errors in patients suffering from chronic diseases.Results: A greater risk for the occurrence of medication errors was associated with age ≥60 years (odds ratio, OR = 1.9; 95% CI = 1.3–3.1; p = 0.001), overburdened healthcare system (OR = 2.2; 95% CI = 1.64–3.56; p < 0.000), number of prescribed drugs ≥5 (OR = 1.74; 95% CI = 1.02–2.64; p < 0.000), comorbidities (OR = 2.6; 95% CI = 1.72–3.6; p = 0.003), Charlson comorbidity index (OR = 1.31; 95% CI = 0.49–1.84; p = 0.004), and multiple prescribers to one patient (OR = 1.12; 95% CI = 0.64–1.76; p = 0.001).Conclusion: Older age, overburdened healthcare system, number of prescribed drugs, comorbidities, Charlson comorbidity index, and multiple prescribers to one patient are significant risk factors for the occurrence of medication errors.

Keywords