BURDEN OF PREVENTABLE MEDICATION ERRORS IN SPAIN: CLINICAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACT, AND THE POTENTIAL OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGIES
Author(s)
Carmen Aláez, Ms.1, Concha Toribio, Ms.1, Berta Alcolea, Ms.1, Pablo Encina, Mr.2, Josu Aguirre, PhD3, Mafalda Fontes Molarinho Carmo, Ms.3.
1Fenin, Madrid, Spain, 2IQVIA, Madrid, Spain, 3IQVIA, Barcelona, Spain.
1Fenin, Madrid, Spain, 2IQVIA, Madrid, Spain, 3IQVIA, Barcelona, Spain.
OBJECTIVES: To estimate the clinical and economic burden of preventable medication errors (MEs) in Spain's National Health System (SNS) and to identify health technologies that may contribute to their prevention and reduction.
METHODS: A targeted literature review of scientific publications and official sources was conducted, focusing on the Spanish healthcare context and the most recent available data. National and international studies on the prevalence, impact, and causes of MEs were analyzed, alongside a review of experiences and outcomes from the implementation of health technologies across different care settings. The clinical and economic impact on the SNS was estimated using national databases.
RESULTS: MEs represent a major challenge for patient safety and healthcare efficiency, with a global estimated prevalence of approximately 4%, varying by care setting and medication-use stage. Annually, MEs account for an estimated 12.1 million primary care consultations and between 1.2 and 6.9 million hospitalization days, with an economic impact ranging from €1,750-€1,900 million (definitely preventable), potentially reaching €7,800 million (including probably preventable). The burden is especially significant among vulnerable populations and in critical areas such as hospital care, oncohematology, and intensive care units (ICUs). Analysed MEs are by definition preventable, and their reduction may be achieved through the adoption of health technologies, which have demonstrated a 51.7% reduction in dispensing errors in hospital and ambulatory settings, a 50% reduction in ICU rescue events, and a 47.4% interception rate of serious intravenous administration errors, among others.
CONCLUSIONS: MEs impose a substantial and largely preventable clinical and economic burden on the SNS. Evidence supports that the adoption and expansion of health technologies reduce ME incidence and severity, optimize resources, and reinforce patient safety throughout the entire care process. Advancing implementation, measurement, and evaluation of these interventions, alongside improved data collection and multidisciplinary collaboration, is essential to maximize the benefits of technological innovation.
METHODS: A targeted literature review of scientific publications and official sources was conducted, focusing on the Spanish healthcare context and the most recent available data. National and international studies on the prevalence, impact, and causes of MEs were analyzed, alongside a review of experiences and outcomes from the implementation of health technologies across different care settings. The clinical and economic impact on the SNS was estimated using national databases.
RESULTS: MEs represent a major challenge for patient safety and healthcare efficiency, with a global estimated prevalence of approximately 4%, varying by care setting and medication-use stage. Annually, MEs account for an estimated 12.1 million primary care consultations and between 1.2 and 6.9 million hospitalization days, with an economic impact ranging from €1,750-€1,900 million (definitely preventable), potentially reaching €7,800 million (including probably preventable). The burden is especially significant among vulnerable populations and in critical areas such as hospital care, oncohematology, and intensive care units (ICUs). Analysed MEs are by definition preventable, and their reduction may be achieved through the adoption of health technologies, which have demonstrated a 51.7% reduction in dispensing errors in hospital and ambulatory settings, a 50% reduction in ICU rescue events, and a 47.4% interception rate of serious intravenous administration errors, among others.
CONCLUSIONS: MEs impose a substantial and largely preventable clinical and economic burden on the SNS. Evidence supports that the adoption and expansion of health technologies reduce ME incidence and severity, optimize resources, and reinforce patient safety throughout the entire care process. Advancing implementation, measurement, and evaluation of these interventions, alongside improved data collection and multidisciplinary collaboration, is essential to maximize the benefits of technological innovation.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-11, ISPOR Europe 2026, Vienna, Austria
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue 12S
Code
MT8
Topic
Medical Technologies
Disease
No Additional Disease & Conditions/Specialized Treatment Areas