The possibility of patient involvement in prevention of medication error

Medication errors are the most frequent cause of patient harm. The new view of the role of the patient as a partner in his/her safe care can help reduce the risk of serious errors and omissions by health workers. In the context of sociological investigation, the level of patient involvement in the medication process in checking the accuracy of the medication administered and informing healthcare professionals about all the medication taken and possible allergies, has been researched. The selective file of patients admitted to the hospital, corresponded with the patient composition in the Czech Republic in terms of regions, gender and age. These features were intended to be representative. The research file consisted of 514 patients hospitalized at the hospital inpatient wards for at least 3 days. The research results show that patients carry out medication control very superficially. They trust the nursing staff and do not check medication accuracy. More than half of the respondents (56.2%) do not check the medication and do not ask the nurse about its name. It is puzzling and alarming that almost one-third of patients (26.3%) would not draw the attention of a doctor or nurse to the administration of wrong or unusual medication! In contrast, most patients do inform a doctor about medication already being taken (87.5%), and possible allergies (86.0%), and so the active involvement of patients in risk prevention is a possible solution. Patients should be encouraged to be vigilant and alert health professionals about errors that, in their opinion, have happened or could happen during the treatment process.