Abstract

Background: Medication error is most common medical error and which is also under-reported particularly in developing countries. It can cause serious harm to the patients in several settings, particularly in hospitals.

Aim and Objective: The aim of the study was to bring awareness among paramedical staff about medication error and to encourage them to report medication.

Materials and Methods: This was a questionnaire-based-cross sectional study conducted over 6 months of duration in tertiary care hospital in 100 paramedical staff.

Results: Out of 100 participants, majority of them (91%) knows about term medication error. Only 26% participants know how to report medication error in our hospital. Three-fourth (75%) do not know where to report, while 22% believes that it is professional obligation to report medication error. The majority of participants 88% agree that proper communication between health-care professionals minimizes medication error. About 77% participants believe that there is a need of independent body/committee for medication error in hospital. About 87% participants recommended training or CME about medication error in health-care professionals.

Conclusion: The majority of participants had basic knowledge about medication error but lacuna on the reporting of medication error was noted. Continued medication education among paramedical staff may improver reporting.

Key words: Awareness; Medication Error; Paramedical Staff; Training