MEDICATION ERROR REPORTING AND ANALYSIS- A PHARMACY TECHNICIAN SURVEY
ATTENTION:
BEFORE YOU READ THE ABSTRACT OR CHAPTER ONE OF THE PROJECT TOPICS BELOW, PLEASE READ THE INFORMATION BELOW.THANK YOU!
INFORMATION:
YOU CAN GET THE COMPLETE PROJECT OF THE TOPIC BELOW. THE FULL PROJECT COST N5,000 ONLY. THE FULL INFORMATION ON HOW TO PAY AND GET THE COMPLETE PROJECT IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE. OR
YOU CAN CALL: 08068231953, 08137701720,
WHATSAPP/TELEGRAM US ON: 08137701720
MEDICATION ERROR REPORTING AND ANALYSIS- A PHARMACY TECHNICIAN SURVEY
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Medication safety is a critical component of healthcare delivery, as medication errors remain a major cause of preventable patient harm worldwide. A medication error is defined as any preventable event that may cause or lead to inappropriate medication use or patient harm while the medication is in the control of a healthcare professional, patient, or consumer (National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention [NCC MERP], 2021). These errors may occur at any stage of the medication-use process, including prescribing, transcribing, dispensing, administration, and monitoring.
Globally, medication errors contribute significantly to morbidity, mortality, and increased healthcare costs. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that medication errors cost health systems billions of dollars annually and represent a major public health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (WHO, 2017). In response, healthcare systems have increasingly emphasized medication error reporting and analysis as essential strategies for improving patient safety and quality of care.
Medication error reporting systems provide structured mechanisms for documenting, analyzing, and learning from errors and near-miss events. Effective reporting enables healthcare organizations to identify error patterns, system weaknesses, and risk factors, thereby facilitating the development of preventive interventions (Reason, 2000; Aronson, 2009). However, underreporting of medication errors remains a persistent challenge, often due to fear of blame, punitive organizational cultures, lack of feedback, and limited awareness of reporting procedures (Uribe et al., 2002; Aljadhey et al., 2013).
Pharmacy technicians play a crucial role in the medication-use process, particularly in medication preparation, dispensing, labeling, and inventory management. Their proximity to dispensing activities places them in a strategic position to identify, prevent, and report medication errors. Despite this important role, most medication safety research has traditionally focused on physicians and pharmacists, with relatively limited attention given to pharmacy technicians’ experiences, perceptions, and reporting behaviors (Szeinbach et al., 2007).
As healthcare systems become more complex and medication regimens increasingly sophisticated, understanding the role of pharmacy technicians in medication error reporting and analysis is essential. Evaluating their knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding error reporting can provide valuable insights into system-level gaps and inform targeted interventions aimed at strengthening medication safety culture. Therefore, this study focuses on medication error reporting and analysis through a pharmacy technician survey, with the aim of contributing to improved patient safety and quality assurance in healthcare settings.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Despite the availability of medication error reporting systems in many healthcare institutions, medication errors continue to occur frequently and are often underreported. Underreporting limits the ability of healthcare organizations to accurately assess the magnitude of medication errors and implement effective corrective measures (Kohn et al., 2000). Pharmacy technicians, who are actively involved in medication dispensing processes, may encounter errors or near misses but may not consistently report them.
Factors such as fear of disciplinary action, lack of anonymity, insufficient training, time constraints, and unclear reporting procedures contribute to low reporting rates among healthcare workers, including pharmacy technicians (Hartnell et al., 2012). In some settings, the absence of a non-punitive safety culture further discourages open reporting and learning from errors.
In many developing healthcare systems, limited empirical data exist on pharmacy technicians’ involvement in medication error reporting and their understanding of error analysis processes. This knowledge gap hinders the design of effective policies and training programs tailored to this professional group. Consequently, there is a need to systematically assess medication error reporting practices and analytical awareness among pharmacy technicians. This study addresses this gap by investigating medication error reporting and analysis through a pharmacy technician survey.
1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study
1.3.1 Aim of the Study
The main aim of this study is to examine medication error reporting and analysis practices among pharmacy technicians through a structured survey.
1.3.2 Specific Objectives
The specific objectives of the study are to:
Assess pharmacy technicians’ knowledge of medication errors and reporting systems.
Determine the frequency and types of medication errors encountered by pharmacy technicians.
Examine attitudes and perceptions of pharmacy technicians toward medication error reporting.
Identify barriers to effective medication error reporting among pharmacy technicians.
Evaluate the level of awareness of medication error analysis and feedback mechanisms.
1.4 Research Questions
The study seeks to answer the following research questions:
What is the level of knowledge of pharmacy technicians regarding medication errors and reporting systems?
What types of medication errors are commonly encountered by pharmacy technicians?
What are the attitudes of pharmacy technicians toward medication error reporting?
What factors hinder effective medication error reporting among pharmacy technicians?
How aware are pharmacy technicians of medication error analysis and feedback processes?
1.5 Significance of the Study
This study is significant to healthcare administrators, pharmacists, patient safety officers, and policymakers. By providing empirical evidence on pharmacy technicians’ experiences with medication error reporting and analysis, the findings will support the development of targeted training programs and reporting policies. Improved understanding of reporting barriers will also aid in fostering a non-punitive safety culture that encourages learning from errors.
Academically, the study will contribute to the limited body of literature focusing specifically on pharmacy technicians’ roles in medication safety. It will serve as a reference for future research on medication error prevention and quality improvement initiatives in healthcare settings.
1.6 Scope of the Study
The study focuses on pharmacy technicians working in selected healthcare facilities. It examines medication error reporting practices, perceived barriers, and awareness of error analysis processes. The study does not include physicians or pharmacists and does not assess clinical outcomes of reported medication errors.
1.7 Operational Definition of Terms
Medication Error: Any preventable event that may cause or lead to inappropriate medication use or patient harm (NCC MERP, 2021).
Medication Error Reporting: The formal documentation of medication errors or near misses within a healthcare system.
Medication Error Analysis: The systematic examination of reported errors to identify root causes and preventive strategies.
Pharmacy Technician: A trained healthcare professional who assists pharmacists in medication preparation, dispensing, and distribution.
Patient Safety Culture: Shared values and practices that prioritize safety and learning from errors within healthcare organizations.
HOW TO RECEIVE PROJECT MATERIAL (S)
After paying the appropriate amount (#5,000) into our bank Account below, send the following information to any of the numbers below
08068231953, 08137701720,
(1) Your project topics
(2) Email Address
(3) Payment Name
OR you drop them on our WhatsApp/Telegram, 08137701720
We will send your material(s) after we receive bank alert
BANK ACCOUNTS
Account Name: AMUTAH DANIEL CHUKWUDI
Account Number: 0046579864
Bank: GTBank.
OR
Account Name: AMUTAH DANIEL CHUKWUDI
Account Number: 3139283609
Bank: FIRST BANK
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL:
08068231953, 08137701720, 08154275408
http://graduateprojects.com.ng