Understanding Medication Errors in Healthcare

Types and Ramifications of Medication Errors

Overview: Different levels of errors and their implications for healthcare staff.

Within the medication process, errors can vary in severity and impact. Regulatory bodies like the Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspect care homes and hospitals to ensure adherence to standards.

Types of Medication Errors:

• Administering the wrong medication to a person.
• Administering medication at the wrong time.
• Administering an incorrect dosage (too much or too little).
• Overdosing or underdosing a patient.
• Inappropriate use of PRN (as needed) medication, leading to misuse.

Errors involving PRN medication, intended for occasional use, can particularly impact patient well-being if misused to induce excessive sedation.