Strategies to Reduce Meditation errors Hospitals

Each year, nearly 100,000 patients in the United States die as a result of medication errors. Medication errors are a concern to hospital leaders, resulting in increased expenses, extended hospital stays, and patient harm. Grounded in the Lean Six Sigma quality model, the purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore the strategies three hospital managers in one hospital system in the eastern United States used to reduce medication errors. Data were collected through semistructered interviews, archival hospital documents, and analyzed using Yin's 5-step approach. The findings revealed key themes, including prioritizing staff training, building a safety culture, and close monitoring of medication safety policy conformance. A key recommendation is for hospital leaders to implement electronic medical records, utilize barcode scanning technology, and train healthcare providers on specific techniques for reducing errors. The implications for positive social change include the potential for fewer medication errors, resulting in better health outcomes and dignity for patients, and a more efficient and effective healthcare system.