STUDY AND ASSESSMENT OF PHARMACY TECHNICIANS’ KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES, AND PRACTICES REGARDING MEDICATION ERROR PREVENTION IN LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, IKEJA

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STUDY AND ASSESSMENT OF PHARMACY TECHNICIANS’ KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES, AND PRACTICES REGARDING MEDICATION ERROR PREVENTION IN LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, IKEJA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Medication errors are a significant global public health concern and are defined as any preventable events that may cause or lead to inappropriate medication use or patient harm while the medication is under the control of healthcare professionals (World Health Organization [WHO], 2016). Such errors can occur during prescribing, dispensing, administration, or monitoring of medications and can result in adverse drug events, increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs (Bates et al., 2001).

Pharmacy technicians play a crucial role in the safe dispensing and management of medications. They are responsible for preparing, labeling, and providing medications under the supervision of pharmacists. Their understanding, perception, and practices regarding medication error prevention directly influence patient safety and healthcare quality (Cohen, 2007). Knowledge equips them to recognize potential errors, perception shapes their attitudes towards error reporting and prevention, and practical application ensures adherence to safe dispensing protocols (Aghaei et al., 2015).

In Nigeria, studies indicate that medication errors remain prevalent due to factors such as insufficient training, heavy workload, poor communication, and non-compliance with standard operating procedures among pharmacy staff (Okonta & Oparah, 2006; Tariq et al., 2012). Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), as a tertiary healthcare facility, relies heavily on pharmacy technicians in its medication-use process. Understanding the knowledge, perception, and practices of these professionals is essential for designing interventions that enhance medication safety, reduce errors, and improve patient outcomes (Akinlade et al., 2018).

Evaluating pharmacy technicians’ understanding, perception, and practices can provide critical insights into the gaps and challenges in implementing medication error prevention strategies. Such assessment is necessary to guide hospital administrators, policymakers, and educators in improving training programmes, enforcing safety protocols, and ultimately promoting a culture of patient safety (WHO, 2016).

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Medication errors continue to pose a serious threat to patient safety in hospitals worldwide, including Nigeria. Despite the crucial role of pharmacy technicians in mitigating such errors, research shows that gaps in knowledge, negative perceptions toward reporting, and inconsistent practice of preventive strategies contribute to preventable errors (Aghaei et al., 2015; Tariq et al., 2012).

At LASUTH, anecdotal reports indicate that medication errors occur during dispensing and administration processes, yet there is limited empirical data on pharmacy technicians’ understanding, perception, and practices concerning error prevention. This knowledge gap hampers the ability to develop effective strategies and policies aimed at reducing medication errors, ensuring patient safety, and improving overall healthcare delivery (Okonta & Oparah, 2006).

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main objective of this study is to evaluate pharmacy technicians’ understanding, perception, and practices toward medication error prevention at LASUTH.

The specific objectives are to:

Assess the level of understanding of pharmacy technicians regarding medication error prevention.

Determine pharmacy technicians’ perceptions toward medication error reporting and prevention.

Examine the practices of pharmacy technicians in implementing medication error prevention strategies.

Identify challenges faced by pharmacy technicians in adopting medication error prevention measures.

Recommend strategies to enhance knowledge, perception, and practices for effective medication error prevention.

1.4 Research Questions

The study seeks to answer the following questions:

What is the level of understanding of pharmacy technicians regarding medication error prevention?

What are pharmacy technicians’ perceptions toward medication error prevention and reporting?

What are the current practices of pharmacy technicians in preventing medication errors?

What challenges do pharmacy technicians face in implementing medication error prevention strategies?

What strategies can improve the knowledge, perception, and practices of pharmacy technicians toward medication error prevention?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

The study will test the following null hypotheses:

H01: There is no significant relationship between pharmacy technicians’ understanding of medication error prevention and their practices.

H02: There is no significant relationship between pharmacy technicians’ perception of medication error prevention and their practices.

1.6 Significance of the Study

This study is significant as it will provide insight into the knowledge, perception, and practices of pharmacy technicians toward medication error prevention in a major teaching hospital. The findings will be useful to hospital administrators, policymakers, and healthcare educators in developing targeted interventions, training programmes, and safety protocols aimed at reducing medication errors (Aghaei et al., 2015; Okonta & Oparah, 2006). Furthermore, the study will contribute to academic literature on pharmacy practice, patient safety, and healthcare quality improvement in Nigeria.

1.7 Scope of the Study

The study focuses on pharmacy technicians working at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja. It examines their understanding, perception, and practices toward medication error prevention. While doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals are also involved in medication management, this study limits its scope to pharmacy technicians as they play a central role in dispensing and preparation of medications.

1.8 Operational Definition of Terms

Medication Error: Any preventable event that may lead to inappropriate medication use or patient harm while under the control of a healthcare professional (WHO, 2016).

Pharmacy Technician: A trained professional who assists pharmacists in preparing, dispensing, and monitoring medications.

Understanding: Knowledge and comprehension of procedures, principles, and strategies for preventing medication errors.

Perception: Attitudes, beliefs, and viewpoints of pharmacy technicians regarding the importance and implementation of medication error prevention strategies.

Practice: The actual application of strategies, procedures, and protocols aimed at preventing medication errors in daily pharmacy operations.

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