Using medicine safety huddles to prevent the recurrence of medication errors.

Abstract

Medication errors in healthcare are prevalent but also often preventable. Medicine safety huddles bring together any colleagues involved in medicine-related incidents to explore the contributing factors in a safe environment and to identify any learning points. In this way, huddles can identify potential changes to practice and prevent recurrence of medication errors. This article details the introduction of medicine safety huddles at the author's NHS trust, where they were embedded into nursing and pharmacy practice and led to tangible improvements that benefited patient and staff safety.