Estimation of Medication Dispensing Errors (MDEs) as Tracked by Passive RFID-Based Solution

Abstract

Errors from dispensing medicines, as part of medication errors, can have deadly consequences. Notwithstanding the occasional incidental reports, the impact of such errors remains significant given the high amount of medicines distributed daily. Here, the authors case studied the medication dispensing errors and the resulting impact on patient safety vis-à-vis a medico-surgical emergency department of a local university hospital center. The approach comprises two parts: first, an estimation of medication dispensing error rates; and second, a suggested passive radio frequency identification based solution aimed to reduce such incidents. The benefits of the adapted novel solution relative to the commonly used systems will be highlighted. They conclude with an overview of the study results and provides insights on how attending to this key challenge of medication dispensing errors will further enhance future health informatics practices and research.