Millions of medication errors and ADRs cause avoidable deaths, notes research

A recent study, from the Universities of Manchester, York and Sheffield, has revealed that an estimated 237 million medication errors occur in the NHS in England yearly, which, in addition to avoidable adverse drug reactions (ADRs), account for hundreds of avoidable deaths.

The research, which involved two systematic reviews — one on the incidence and prevalence of medication errors and one on the costs of health burden associated with the errors — highlighted an estimated 712 deaths result from avoidable ADRs per year and that avoidable ADRs have potentially significant cost implications, at £98.5 million per year — although this could be higher.

However, there are limitations to the findings with the team stating that of the millions of medication errors that occur yearly, almost three out of every four are unlikely to result in harm to a patient, but information on harm caused by these sorts of errors is very limited.

“Although these error rates may look high, there is no evidence suggesting they differ markedly from those in other high-income countries,” asserted professor of Health Economics at the University of York, Mark Sculpher. “Almost three in four errors would never harm patients and some may be picked up before they reach the patients, but more research is needed to understand just how many that is.”

“The NHS is a world-leader in this area of research, and this is why we have a good idea about error rates. There is still a lot to do in finding cost-effective ways to prevent medication errors,” said Rachel Elliott, professor of Health Economics from The University of Manchester. “What this report is showing us is that we need better linking of information across the NHS to help find more ways of preventing medication errors.”

Fiona Campbell, research fellow from the University of Sheffield’s School of Health and Related Research, added: “Measuring harm to patients from medication errors is difficult for several reasons, one being that harm can sometimes occur when medicines are used correctly, but now that we have more understanding of the number of errors that occur we have an opportunity to do more to improve NHS systems.”

Paul O’Hanlon, managing director at Omnicell UK & Ireland has responded to the announcement of the report findings: “We welcome this report which highlights and raises awareness of the scale of medication errors across the NHS. It’s vitally important that the use of technology, which can solve this problem, is now an integral part of the debate in the light of this new research.

“There is no excuse for poor medicines management within the NHS as technology exists which can prevent the errors which can arise from the prescribing, dispensing and the administration of drugs. These can be minimised or altogether eliminated with the use of technology (i.e., automation). Medicines optimisation, redesigning workflow structures and the use of technology are the cornerstones to promoting patient safety and driving much-needed cost efficiencies.

“Automation also addresses the flow of patients through trusts, discharge times, the focus of nursing and pharmacy staff on clinical services and ultimately the quality of care. But crucially, it offers a ‘safety net’ for those healthcare teams who are at the brunt of NHS cuts and pressures and who are trying to care for their patients. Any efficiency in the system that means they can spend more time delivering face-to-face patient care will be welcomed.”