Evaluation of Pharmacists’ Perspectives Towards Peer Review and Identification of Opportunities for Improvement

Date

2013-05

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to identify barriers to peer review that could hinder error reporting and successful quality improvement initiatives within the pharmacy department at the study institution. Additionally, this study is intended to help identify and develop strategies to correct negative perceptions among pharmacists regarding peer review.

METHODS: An electronic survey was developed to evaluate pharmacist perceptions of safety culture and peer review procedures for medication errors. The survey was validated by three members of this study and tested for reliability by a subset of ten individuals from the target audience. This survey was disseminated to all pharmacists practicing at the study institution as well as to pharmacist members of the state health-system pharmacist society. Completion of the survey was voluntary and anonymity was preserved. The survey period was from February 4, 2013 to February 28, 2013. Data was collected and statistical analysis utilizing the Student’s t-test was performed to compare perspectives between the two pharmacy groups.

RESULTS: A number of significant gaps in perception were discovered in this evaluation. In particular, pharmacists at the study institution expressed concerns regarding work load and punitive actions as a result of error reporting more so than the comparison group which was comprised of pharmacist members of the Texas Society of Health-System Pharmacists. Also pharmacists within the study group were mostly undecided about the effectiveness of peer review and its potential to bring about improvements.

CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the need for open discourse and education about Just Culture and safety culture concepts as a means to combat negative perceptions that impact error reporting and can impede quality improvement endeavors within the department.

Description

Keywords

Patient safety, Medication Safety, Pharmacy, Quality improvement

Citation