Effectiveness of the SAFE-4P System in the Pre-Dispensing Process to Reduce Medication Errors among Inpatients at Maechan Hospital, Chiang Rai Province.

Abstract

      This study aimed to 1) compare medication error rates in pre-dispensing and dispensing processes before and after implementing the SAFE-4P System, 2) compare severe medication error rates (NCC MERP Category E-I) and near-miss event reporting rates before and after implementing the SAFE-4P System, and 3) examine the satisfaction levels of registered nurses and inpatient pharmacy staff regarding the SAFE-4P System. A quasi-experimental one-group pretest-posttest design was employed. The sample consisted of inpatient prescriptions at Maechan Hospital, Chiang Rai Province, totaling 12,554 prescriptions (baseline 6,277 prescriptions, post-intervention 6,277 prescriptions) and 55 healthcare personnel (40 nurses, 15 pharmacy staff) obtained through sample size calculation and proportional stratified random sampling. Data were collected using medication error documentation forms, dispensing time tracking forms, and satisfaction questionnaires. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired t-tests, chi-square tests, and Mann-Whitney U tests.

      Results showed that 1) pre-dispensing error rates decreased from 4.72 to 2.15 per 1,000 patient-days (p<0.001), and dispensing error rates decreased from 0.91 to 0.35 per 1,000 patient-days (p<0.001), 2) severe errors (Category E-I) decreased from 0.2 to 0 per 1,000 patient-days (p<0.001), and near-miss event reporting increased from 1.25 to 3.88 per 1,000 patient-days (p<0.001), and 3) staff satisfaction with the system was rated as excellent (mean score 4.5 out of 5.0).