Using patient and carer perspectives to improve medication safety at transitions of care

It is widely known—among healthcare professionals as well as patient safety researchers—that transfers of care are a high-risk area in relation to patient safety.1 And even more importantly, the experience of patients and their families suggests likewise. For example, in a research priority setting exercise focusing on safe care for adults with complex health needs, 6 of the top 10 priorities related to transfers of care, either within or between organisations.2 While care transitions affect all elements of a person’s care, medication safety is a particular cause for concern, with a Cochrane review finding that 56% of patients are at risk of having at least one medication discrepancy as part of standard care.3 Accepted wisdom among many people working in the quality and safety field is that measurement is essential both to understand the risks and to target and evaluate interventions to address...
Source: BMJ Quality and Safety - Category: General Medicine Authors: Tags: Editorials Source Type: research