Original Research

Reducing medication errors in HIV-positive patients: Influence of a clinical pharmacist

Elmien Bronkhorst, Michè Joseph-Busby, Selente Bezuidenhout
Southern African Journal of HIV Medicine | Vol 25, No 1 | a1594 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajhivmed.v25i1.1594 | © 2024 Elmien Bronkhorst, Michè Joseph-Busby, Selente Bezuidenhout | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 27 March 2024 | Published: 01 August 2024

About the author(s)

Elmien Bronkhorst, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
Michè Joseph-Busby, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
Selente Bezuidenhout, Department of Public Health and Pharmacy Management, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa

Abstract

Background: The roll-out of antiretroviral medicines has improved life expectancy in people living with HIV (PLHIV). This has resulted in more patients being hospitalised for non-communicable diseases, increasing risk for medication errors (MEs). Pharmacists, through medication reconciliation, may identify and reduce MEs in this population.

Objectives: To describe the importance of a pharmacist’s involvement in identifying and quantifying types of MEs.

Method: A quantitative, prospective observational study was conducted over 14 weeks. A pharmacist reviewed HIV-positive, hospitalised patients’ files, using a data collection instrument, to determine the prevalence of MEs in PLHIV. The study pharmacist recommended appropriate actions to the prescriber to resolve MEs and documented resolution of the MEs.

Results: The study population of n = 180 patient files were reviewed 453 times, identifying 466 MEs. Medication errors included incorrect medication reconciliation from history (19; 4.1%), prescription omission (17; 3.7%), duplication of therapy (10; 2.2%), missed doses (265; 57.1%), incorrect dosing (103; 22.2%), incorrect administration frequency (2; 0.4%), incorrect duration of therapy (15; 3.2%) and drug-drug interactions (18; 3.9%). More than half (58.2%) of the MEs were resolved in less than 24 h, with involvement of the pharmacist.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates the magnitude of MEs experienced in hospitalised PLHIV and highlights the role clinical pharmacists play in identifying and resolving MEs to improve patient outcomes.


Keywords

HIV; opportunistic infections; people living with HIV; medication errors; co-morbidities; clinical pharmacist

Sustainable Development Goal

Goal 3: Good health and well-being

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