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International Journal of Zoology and Applied Biosciences Research Article
Strategies to minimize medication errors in hospitals: A review
Priyanka Patanwadiya, Anil Basu Rathod, Surbhi Damar, Avaniben Bhupendra Baria and Hemani Anilkumar Rathva
Year : 2026 | Volume: 11 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 170-174
Received on: 14/02/2026
Revised on: 27/02/2026
Accepted on: 21/04/2026
Published on: 01/05/2026
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Priyanka Patanwadiya, Anil Basu Rathod, Surbhi Damar, Avaniben Bhupendra Baria and Hemani Anilkumar Rathva( 2026).
Strategies to minimize medication errors in hospitals: A review
. International Journal of Zoology and Applied Biosciences, 11( 3), 170-174.
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Abstract
Medication errors represent a persistent and critical challenge in hospital settings, contributing significantly to patient morbidity, mortality, and increased healthcare costs worldwide. These errors can occur at any stage of the medication process, including prescribing, transcribing, dispensing, and administration, and are often influenced by complex interactions among healthcare professionals, organizational systems, and patient-related factors. This systematic review, conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, aimed to synthesize evidence from international studies published between 2010 and 2025 that evaluated interventions designed to reduce medication errors in hospitals. Comprehensive searches were performed across major databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library, and eligible studies were assessed for methodological quality using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and the GRADE framework. The findings revealed that technological interventions, including computerized physician order entry systems, clinical decision support tools, barcode medication administration, and electronic health record integration, consistently demonstrated significant reductions in prescribing and administration errors. Educational and training programs, such as simulation-based learning and continuous professional development workshops, improved healthcare providers’ knowledge and awareness, though their long-term impact required reinforcement through repeated sessions. Process and workflow improvements, including standardized medication reconciliation protocols, double-check systems for high-risk drugs, and enhanced communication between pharmacists and clinicians, were effective in reducing errors in critical care environments. Organizational and policy-level interventions, such as fostering a culture of safety, implementing reporting and feedback mechanisms, and aligning practices with international accreditation standards, contributed to sustainable improvements but varied in effectiveness depending on institutional support and resource availability. Overall, the evidence suggests that multifaceted interventions combining technology, education, and organizational change are most effective in reducing medication errors in hospitals. However, barriers such as high implementation costs, staff resistance, and infrastructure limitations remain significant challenges.
Keywords
Medication errors, Patient safety, Hospital interventions, Systematic review, PRISMA, Technological.
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© The Author(s) 2025. This article is published by International Journal of Zoology and Applied Biosciences under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (creativecommons.org), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
