SafetyNET-Rx: Insights and Lessons Learned From a Pilot Project

Abstract

Medication errors are under-reported in community pharmacies, thereby reducing the opportunities for creating solutions and jeopardizing patient safety. This research identified challenges and facilitators of medication error reporting, and lessons learned from using a continuous quality improvement program. In-depth interviews with pharmacists and technicians from 13 community pharmacies in Nova Scotia were analyzed using iterative thematic analysis. The overall theme, From Secret to Shared, was comprised of: resistance; resolving resistance; and improved outlook. Suggestions for improvement included: increased ease of use, provision of feedback, and sharing of learnings among pharmacies. By understanding the context of medication errors, reporting and patient safety can be improved.