title: National and local medication error reporting systems: a survey of practices in 16 countries.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the existence and characteristics of national and local medication error reporting (MER) systems and to describe national medication safety experts' perceptions of a good and effective MER system and barriers to reporting.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a descriptive cross-sectional study, 32 medication safety experts were identified through member organizations of the International Pharmaceutical Federation in 88 countries and other professional organizations in 3 additional countries. These experts were invited to participate in an online survey.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixteen national medication safety experts from different countries participated in the study (response rate, 50%). A national (n = 5) or local (n = 6) MER system existed in 11 of these countries. In 5 countries, no MER system existed. The most common features of the MER systems were confidentiality of the reported information and providing feedback to those involved in reporting. Most experts perceived that a good and effective MER system was characterized by the opportunity to learn from errors by those involved in reporting, having a nonpunitive approach to reporting, and ease of use. They also perceived that a blame culture, lack of time, training, and coordination of reporting were the main barriers to reporting.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Blame culture, a lack of time, training and coordination of reporting continue to be the major barriers to reporting. Learning from errors and having a nonpunitive approach to reporting were thought to be the most critical features of a MER system. Difficulties in identifying national medication safety experts indicates a need for promoting international networking of medication safety experts and bodies for sharing information and learning from others.
authors.affiliation: Division of Social Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Finland. anna-riia.holmstrom@helsinki.fi
authors.forename: Anna-Riia
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Holmström
authors.forename: Marja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Airaksinen
authors.forename: Marjorie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.forename: Tana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wuliji
authors.forename: Xuan Hao
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Raisa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Laaksonen
mesh_terms: D003219:Confidentiality; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004282:Documentation / Q000379:methods*; D005246:Feedback; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training; D008508:Medication Errors; D009042:Motivation; D015279:Organizational Culture; D012308:Risk Management; D017751:Safety Management / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors