Medication Safety in Nursing Care Homes.

Abstract

This thesis delves into the critical issue of medication safety in nursing care homes, recognizing the heightened vulnerability of residents due to factors like polypharmacy and cognitive impairment. This study aims to identify root causes of medication errors, and propose actionable recommendations to enhance medication safety practices.

Employing a qualitative research design, the study leverages theoretical frameworks such as Reason's Swiss Cheese Model and Patricia Benner's novice-to-expert theory, A systematic review of qualitative studies published between 2015 and 2023 was conducted using databases like PubMed and Scopus to identify key factors and interventions.

Systemic issues such as high workloads, fragmented communication, and inadequate training, coupled with individual factors, drive medication errors in nursing care homes. Effective interventions like staff training, electronic medication systems, and patient-centered care show promise but are often limited by resource constraints. The study advocates for a multifaceted approach to foster safety and suggests future research on cost-effective strategies, artificial intelligence applications, and organizational changes to improve medication safety and health outcomes for residents.