Patient Perspective

The patient's perspective is the most important determinant as to whether an adverse event has occurred.  This opinionated statement could be argued in both directions, but I strongly believe that the patient perspective is the reason many adverse events occur.  Since I have the most knowledge about the pharmacy setting I can relate this topic to the pharmacy.

In the pharmacy there are many different ways an adverse event can happen.  The most common event is incorrect package sold to wrong patient.  At first glance one may wonder how does the patient play a role in creating this adverse event.  In a pharmacy the customers always want things fast. Whether it is in the store or in the drive thru everything is suppose to be fast pace.  If it's not to their liking they call corporate and set a complaint which is then sent to us to rectify the situation.  With that pressure coming from customers there is the need to go fast, and when going fast mistakes are made.

Another adverse event is the patient not taking the medication correctly.  This directly effects the patient and could cause the patient to have an adverse event.  Customers come into the pharmacy all the time stating that they haven't been taking their medication because they didn't receive a call from us stating their medication isn't ready.  The patient perspective is that the pharmacy is suppose to be on top of them when their medication is ready.  The pharmacy does what it can to improve the customers quality of care in taking their medication but we can not be solely responsible for them.  The patient needs to take accountability for their health care needs.