Abstract
IntroductionActive involvement of patients in the management of their health has been suggested as a major means of curtailing medication errors. This study aimed to assess the steps taken by hypertensive patients in avoiding medication errors before, during and after clinic visitsMethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH), Parklane, Enugu, Nigeria (June to August, 2016) using a standardized 35-item interviewer-administered questionnaire. The IBM SPSS Version 20.0 was utilized for statistical analysis with P < 0.05, considered statistically significantResultsA total of 200 questionnaires were completed and returned. Few (24.4%) of the respondents were taking non-prescribed medicines and most (61.5%) knew their names. Only 41.9% of the patients monitor their blood pressure very often. There was a statistical difference between the mean scores of steps to avoid medication errors after the clinic visit for the different occupations (F = 8.109; P < 0.001) and educational level (F = 6.182; P < 0.001)ConclusionPatients that took necessary steps in avoiding medication errors before their clinic visits were likely to avoid errors at the clinic. Also, patients that avoided medication errors at the clinic were likely to avoid medication errors after the doctor's visit.
Highlights
Hypertension, a major public health problem, has been identified as a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide [1, 2]
The steps taken by the hypertensive patients to reduce medication errors before consulting with their doctors include knowing their last clinic visit, the complaints that brought them to the hospital, the name and phone number of the doctor they consulted, the number and names of the non-prescription drugs they are on
The steps taken by the hypertensive patients to reduce medication errors at the consultation room include knowing their diagnosis, requesting for the names of their medications, how and when to take their prescribed medicines, possible side effects and what to do if they occur, activities to avoid while taking their prescribed medicines, possible interactions with food, other drugs or alcohol, special storage conditions
Summary
Hypertension, a major public health problem, has been identified as a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide [1, 2]. Uncontrolled hypertension is the most common risk factor for the development of stroke, heart failure (HF), chronic kidney disease and coronary artery disease in sub-Saharan Africa [3, 4] These complications can be prevented by ensuring adequate blood pressure control through accurate and consistent use of drugs and non-drug therapy, as recommended by the healthcare professionals [5]. The National Coordinating Council for Medication Error and Prevention (NCCMERP) described medication errors as, "any preventable event that may cause or lead to inappropriate medication use or patient harm, while the medication is in the control of the health care professional, patient, or consumer Such events may be related to professional practice, health care products, procedures and systems including: prescribing; order communication; product labeling, packaging and nomenclature, compounding, dispensing, distribution, administration, education, monitoring and use" [8, 9]. The general objective of this study was to assess the steps taken among hypertensive outpatients towards avoiding medication errors before, during and after clinic visits
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