COMMITTEE CHAIR: Dr. Chloe Gaines

TITLE: THE EFFECTS OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING ON CLINICAL STAFF’S KNOWLEDGE AND PERCEPTION OF THE MEDICATION RECONCILIATION PROCESS: A QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

ABSTRACT: Medication-related harm affects approximately 1 in 30 patients in healthcare settings. Accurate medication reconciliation (MedRec) is essential for identifying medication discrepancies, preventing medication errors, and reducing adverse drug events. Clinical staff play a critical role in ensuring the accuracy of medication lists in primary care settings. This evidence-based quality improvement project evaluated the effect of a structured medication reconciliation training intervention on clinical staff knowledge, perceptions, and medication reconciliation practices in a primary care clinic. A single-group, quantitative, quasi-experimental quality improvement project was conducted in a primary care clinic in Southeast Texas. A convenience sample of 32 clinical staff members completed pre- and post-intervention knowledge and perception assessments. Medication discrepancy rates were evaluated through pre- and post-intervention chart audits of 98 patient records per group. The educational training was guided by the MATCH toolkit. Knowledge scores remained unchanged following the intervention (p=1.000), likely due to high baseline levels. Three perception measures demonstrated statistically significant improvement, including a perceived increase in workload associated with MedRec (p < .001), confidence in identifying medication discrepancies (p = .035), and perceived leadership support for medication reconciliation (p = .020). Chart audits demonstrated a significant improvement in medication list accuracy (?² = 9.08, p = .003) and a significant reduction in the total number of medication discrepancies (U = 5814.50, p = .007). The educational intervention was associated with improved medication reconciliation practices, increased medication list accuracy, and reduced medication discrepancies. Findings support integrating structured MedRec training into clinical practice to enhance patient safety, improve quality outcomes, and promote compliance with healthcare performance measures.

Keywords: Adverse drug event, clinical staff, medication discrepancy, medication error, medication reconciliation, medication review.

Location Online:

Zoom Link:

https://pvpanther.zoom.us/j/98496651095?pwd=ZbqkViZnbds0CFbfpwwmGN6qOM91JL.1

Meeting ID: 984 9665 1095

Passcode: 123533