Risk Factors Associated With Medication Errors Among Patients Suffering From Chronic Disorders

Medication error is unintentional and can be reduced by reducing the risk factors. Patients suffering from chronic diseases are at an increased risk of medication errors. This work aims to assess the risk factors associated with medication errors among patients suffering from chronic disorders in hospitals of South Punjab, Pakistan. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to assess the impact of different risk factors on the prevalence of medication errors in patients suffering from chronic diseases. A greater risk for the occurrence of medication errors was associated with age ≥60 years (odds ratio, OR = 1.9; 95% CI = 1.3-3.1; = 0.001), overburdened healthcare system (OR = 2.2; 95% CI = 1.64-3.56; < 0.000), number of prescribed drugs ≥5 (OR = 1.74; 95% CI = 1.02-2.64; < 0.000), comorbidities (OR = 2.6; 95% CI = 1.72-3.6; = 0.003), Charlson comorbidity index (OR = 1.31; 95% CI = 0.49-1.84; = 0.004), and multiple prescribers to one patient (OR = 1.12; 95% CI = 0.64-1.76; = 0.001). Older age, overburdened healthcare system, number of prescribed drugs, comorbidities, Charlson comorbidity index, and multiple prescribers to one patient are significant risk factors for the occurrence of medication errors.