What is one effective way to improve medication safety in healthcare?

Implementing electronic prescribing systems is an effective way to enhance medication safety in healthcare settings. This approach reduces the risk of errors associated with handwritten prescriptions, which can be difficult to read and may lead to misunderstandings about dosages, medication names, and administration instructions.

Electronic prescribing systems often incorporate built-in checks for drug interactions, allergies, and dosing guidelines, providing an additional layer of safety for patients. They facilitate the direct transmission of prescriptions to pharmacies, ensuring that the correct medication is dispensed and reducing the chances of miscommunication. This technology can also streamline the medication reconciliation process, allowing for better coordination among healthcare providers and minimizing the likelihood of duplicate or unnecessary prescriptions.

In contrast, options that suggest encouraging patients to self-diagnose or requiring minimal training for staff are counterproductive to safety. Self-diagnosing can lead to inappropriate medication use, while insufficient training increases the risk of errors. Relying solely on printed prescriptions limits the benefits of technology and can perpetuate the issues associated with handwritten orders.