Enhancing Patient Safety by Reducing Potential Prescription Error in Bukit Merah Polyclinic
Project Categories
Care Process & Redesign
Platform
Singapore Healthcare Management Congress
Cluster
SingHealth
31 December 2021
To reduce Prescription Near Miss (PNM) rates in Bukit Merah Polyclinic from 0.08% to ≤ 0.04%. Structured interventions improve vigilance and reduce prescription errors effectively.
Year Submitted: 2021
Published Date: 31 December 2021
Tags: Care Process ＆ Redesign, Quality Improvement, Clinical Practice Improvement, Value Based Care, Safe Care, Adherence Rate, International Patient Safety Goals, Risk Management, Preventive Approach
About this Content
Aims
To reduce Prescription Near Miss (PNM) rates in Bukit Merah Polyclinic from 0.08% to ≤ 0.04%.
Background
Prescription near misses due to dosage errors or omissions posed significant risks to patient safety.
Methods
Used Ishikawa diagrams and Pareto charts to identify top contributors to PNMs. Conducted 3 PDSA cycles: presentations, graphical data sharing, and one-on-one consultations.
Results
Reduced PNMs rate to 0.05% by April 2020, with significant decreases in dosage and omission errors.
Conclusion
Structured interventions improve vigilance and reduce prescription errors effectively.
Lessons Learnt
Regular feedback and individualized consultations are effective in reducing prescription errors.
Additional Information
SHM 2021 Risk Management Award.
Keywords
Prescription Errors, Patient Safety, Polyclinic Workflow
Innovators' Details
Innovators' Details
Healthcare Cluster(s) | SingHealth |
Organization(s) Involved | SingHealth Polyclinics |
Platform(s) | Singapore Healthcare Management Congress |
Healthcare Professional Group(s) | Pharmacy |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | Pharmacology |
Project Lead(s) | Eric Chau Wing Chen |
Project Member(s) | Chai Joon Yi |
Connect with this contributor!
Eric Chau Wing Chen - singaporehealthcaremanagement@singhealth.com.sg (opens in new tab)