Patient safety best practices related to medication management in two public hospitals

Objectives: This study aims to analyze the compliance with the ISEP-Brazil patient safety good practice indicators related to medication management. It also aims to evaluate the applicability and limitations of these indicators in these hospitals. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted in two large hospitals (H1 e H2) of the Minas Gerais public hospital network. The Group 5 indicators (medication management) and additional information on the safety profile were collected in both hospitals in February 2018, through an on-site visit. The difference between the proportions of the items met at H1 and H2 was evaluated using the Pearson chi-square test at a level of statistical significance of 5%. Results: Both hospitals satisfactorily meet more than 65% of the items evaluated (H1=71.2%, H2=66.7%), with H1 meeting three more items (n=42) than H2 (n=39). There was no statistically significant difference between the proportions of items in compliance at H1 and H2 (p = 0.69). However, through additional collection, activities that were not evaluated by the ISEP-Brazil indicators which may contribute to patient safety were detected, especially in H1. Examples are clinical activities, computerization of the dispensing and emergency carts, daily check of dispensing errors. Conclusion: A considerable proportion of sub-items followed the ISEP-Brazil indicators in hospitals. Although there was no statistically significant difference between these proportions, the additional on-site diagnosis allowed identification of a safer medication system in H1.