Medication Errors Reporting and Analysis: A Comparative Study for Advancing Medication Safety Practices in Ministry of Health Hospitals in Saudi Arabia.

Objectives: To analyze and compare these stages, types, frequency, causes, and corrective actions related to medication errors (MEs) reported in Ministry of Health (MOH) hospitals in Saudi Arabia, and thereby enhance medication safety through data driven decisions.

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using ME reports submitted to the Saudi MOH national reporting system from January 2023 to December 2024.Data were collected from nine hospitals, covering medication involved, reporting personnel, level of harm and corrective actions. A novel stratification framework (NSF) was used to visualize emerging risks and protective trends. Statistical analyses were conducted using relative risk (RR), risk difference (RD), Cohen's [h], Pearson's Chi-square test, and Z-adjusted column proportion comparisons.

Results: A sample of 19,645 MEs was analyzed with almost equal gender proportions (p = 0.976). MEs reporting remained stable in hospitals between years, while a few showed an upward trend (p < 10^-111). Most of the reported errors (69.1%) were intercepted before reaching the patients with no harmful effects. Prescribing (94.8%) with wrong or missed dose (18.6%) remained the leading cause. Pharmacists were at the forefront of reporting these cases (>90%). Improved documentation (p < 10^-300) and enhanced physician involvement were also observed in this study.

Conclusion: The findings highlight the importance of continuous evaluation and rigorous analysis of MEs data and the design of novel quantifiable tools for benchmarking safety and guiding targeted interventions in healthcare settings.