Qual Saf Health Care
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Qual Saf Health Care · Apr 2006
Unscheduled returns to the emergency department: an outcome of medical errors?
The causes of unscheduled returns to the emergency department (ED) within 72 hours of discharge are unclear. A study was undertaken to identify factors associated with this quality care indicator. ⋯ Unscheduled returns are associated with medical errors in prognosis, treatment, follow up care, and information. A worse post-ED destination is associated with these medical errors and patient factors (dyspnoea and advanced age). Patient dissatisfaction is associated with medical errors, level of triage or care zone, patient educational level and ED time work shift. Most of these factors are modifiable.
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Qual Saf Health Care · Apr 2006
Reconcilable differences: correcting medication errors at hospital admission and discharge.
Medication errors at the time of hospital admission and discharge are common and can lead to preventable adverse drug events. The objective of this study was to describe the potential impact of a medication reconciliation process to identify and rectify medication errors at the time of hospital admission and discharge. ⋯ Unintended medication variances at the time of hospital admission and discharge are common and clinically important. The medication reconciliation process identified and addressed most of these unintended variances before harm occurred. In this small study, medication reconciliation was a useful method for identifying and rectifying medication errors at times of transition. Reconciliation warrants broader evaluation.