DOI: 10.36347/sajp.2012.v01i02.001

Pages: 56-70

Background: Medication errors are a persistent issue in healthcare, causing adverse drug events (ADEs) and escalating healthcare costs, particularly during patient care transitions. Objective: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of implementing medication reconciliation (MR) in reducing medication discrepancies and enhancing patient safety within an inpatient unit over one year. Method: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in an inpatient unit over one year, involving 100 patients who met the inclusion criteria. Data were collected at admission, intra-hospital transfer, and discharge, identifying medication discrepancies through structured interviews and chart reviews. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 26.0, with descriptive and inferential statistics applied. Results: Medication reconciliation (MR) demonstrated substantial improvements in medication safety. Initially, 72% of patients had discrepancies, including omissions (51%), duplications (22%), incorrect dosages (15%), and frequency errors (12%). Post-MR, total discrepancies decreased by 47%, with the mean discrepancies per patient halving (p < 0.05). MR effectiveness extended across all demographics, admission sources, and medication types, with particularly significant impacts in high-risk groups, such as those with chronic illnesses and polypharmacy. Additionally, MR improved patient satisfaction by 15% and reduced medication-related costs by 20%, confirming its value in enhancing both patient safety and healthcare efficiency. Conclusions: Medication reconciliation is an effective strategy for reducing medication discrepancies and enhancing patient safety, especially during transitions in inpatient settings.