Application of World Health Organization’s Five Moments for Medication Safety Tool: An Intervention Towards Medication Without Harm

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Nursing administration Department, faculty of nursing, Port-Said University, Egypt

2 Lecturer, Nursing administration Department, faculty of nursing, Alexandria University, Egypt.

Abstract

Background: The Five Moments for Medication Safety tool are critical times when a patient's or
caregiver's actions can significantly lower the risk of damage linked with their medication(s). Aim:
This study aimed to: investigate the effectiveness of nurses’ application of the World Healthcare
Organization’s Five moments for medication safety tool on patients’ medication management in
long-term care units. Method: an intervention research design was conducted/ A quasi-
experimental study with two groups (nurses and patients), and a pre-test and post-test design was
conducted. A sample included all nurses who were working in Long-Term Care Units at Alexandria'
New Medical Center, Egypt (N= 55) and a proportional sample of 35 patients at Long-Term Care
Units. The World Health Organization's Five Moments for Medication Safety tools were used to
measure study variables. Results: there were significant differences between patients’ and nurses’
responses regarding their application of the World Health Organization's five moments for
medication safety tool at the two evaluative times of intervention (pre and post) where (P =
<0.001*). There was a positive significant correlation between nurses’ and patients’ outcomes in
the overall responses especially in the Second Stage (Taking medication), and Fourth Stage
(Reviewing medication) where (p = <0.001*). the intervention had a large effect on the overall
patient outcome, with an effect size (of 0.873). Conclusion: When patients are informed about their
drugs, encouraged to ask questions, and give good answers, they can play a critical role in
minimizing medication errors. Additionally, nurses play a crucial role in medication management
by involving, teaching, supporting, and involving all pertinent parties. For them to fulfill this duty,
they need to be strengthened by ongoing education and training.

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