Knowledge, Attitude and Practice on Medication Error among Healthcare Providers in Hospital Melaka

Introduction: Medication error (ME) is any preventable event that may cause or lead to inappropriate medication use or patient harm while the medication is in the control of the healthcare professional, patient or consumer. And, medication error reporting system (MERS) is a voluntary and non- punitive reporting system that was introduced by the MOH in 2009 to propose remedial actions and monitor the situations in an effort to minimize reoccurrence of such error and thus improve patient safety. Several studies have demonstrated underreporting of ME among healthcare. Multiple ME awareness road shows had been conducted by pharmacy department to related healthcare providers but the impact is unknown. Objective: This study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) towards medication errors and medication error reporting system among healthcare providers in Hospital Melaka. Methods: Questionnaires were distributed to total number of 360 healthcare workers from January to February 2019 to assess KAP towards ME and MERS. Participants who were unwilling to participate in study, incomplete questionnaire and healthcare workers who were not involved in prescribing services were excluded from this study. Professionals include pharmacists and doctors, whilst non-professionals involve nurses, pharmacist assistants, medical assistants.   Results: Professionals had median mark (IQR) of 9(2) compared to 8(3) in non-professionals for knowledge on ME (p=0.008). Professionals had median mark of 14(6) compared to 13(7) by non-professionals for knowledge on MERS (p<0.0001). Professionals had median mark of 40(5) compared to 39(4) by non-professionals for attitude on ME reporting (p<0.001). Professionals had median mark of 6(5) compared to 5(3) from non-professionals for practice on ME reporting (p<0.001). Years of service in Ministry of Health does not affect knowledge on KAP on ME (p=0.869), MERS (p=0.169), attitude (p=0.502) and practice (p=0.761) on ME reporting significantly.  Conclusion: This study showed that professionals group of healthcare providers have overall better knowledge on ME and MERS, better attitude and practice on ME reporting as compared to non- professional group. However, the years of service in MOH does not affect the knowledge of KAP on ME and MERS among the healthcare providers. More program should be carried out to improve awareness and importance of ME reporting system among healthcare providers. [Disclaimer: Abstract text might vary slightly from what is displayed in the e-poster]