From Inaccuracy to Insight: Identifying Medication Discrepancies through Observational Reconciliation at a Tertiary Care Hospital, Bhimavaram of Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

Background: Medication reconciliation is the process of examining the patient's entire medication regimen at the time of admission, transfer, and discharge and comparing it with the regimen being considered for the new setting of care. This helps to prevent unintentional inconsistencies across transitions in medical care. Medication reconciliation protects patients from medication side effects while ensuring that they receive standard care. It serves as the baseline from which therapeutic interventions are developed, drug treatment is continued upon admission, and self-care is continued upon release. Objectives: Determining the frequency and kinds of discrepancies discovered during medication reconciliation was the main goal of this study. Determining the effect of medication reconciliation to assess the possible seriousness of medication inconsistencies and ascertain the drug's role in medication errors was the secondary goal. Methodology: In the inpatient units of a tertiary care hospital in the West Godavari District, a prospective, observational study on medication reconciliation was conducted for six months. Results: Of the 385 patients that made up this study, 224 (58.18%) were males and 161 (41.8%) were females. In 169 (43.89%) of the patients, medication discrepancies were detected. There were inconsistencies discovered at several transition points: 50 disparities were detected at admission, 50 during the transfer phase, and 17 on the discharge. Conclusion: A multi-centric assessment including parameters like the percentage of inpatients encountering at least one major medication error would be intriguing. This may support the idea that drug reconciliation is crucial for patient safety.