Application of World Health Organization’s Five Moments for Medication Safety Tool: An Intervention Towards Medication Without Harm among Patients in Long-Term Care Units

Abstract Background The Five Moments for Medication Safety tool are critical times when a patient's or caregiver's actions can significantly lower the risk of damage linked with their medication(s). Aim The aim of this study was two-fold: (a) to investigate the effectiveness of nurses’ application of the World healthcare organization' Five moments for medication safety tool on patients in long-term care units, and (b) to determine the relationship between nurses and patients’ outcomes before and after the application of World healthcare organization' Five moments for medication safety tool. Method an intervention research design was conducted/ A quasi-experimental research study with two groups (nurses and patients), pre-test post-test design was conducted, A sample included all nurses who were working in Long-Term Care Units at Alexandria' New Medical Center, Egypt (N = 55) and a proportional sample of 35 patients at Long-Term Care Units. The World Health Organization's Five Moments for Medication Safety tools were used to measure study variables. Results there were significant differences between patients' and nurses’ outcomes regarding their application of the World Health Organization's five moments for medication safety tool at the two evaluative times of intervention (pre and post) where (P = < 0.001*). there was a positive significant correlation between nurses’ and patients’ outcomes in the overall responses especially the Second Stage (Taking medication), and Fourth Stage (Reviewing medication) where (p = < 0.001*). the intervention had a large effect on the overall patients’ outcome, with an effect size (of 0.873). Conclusion Patients can play a vital role in preventing medication errors when they have been educated about their medications and encouraged to ask questions and seek satisfactory answers. Also, nurses have an important role in medication management by informing, supporting, representing, and involving all relevant parties. Therefore, they should be reinforced by continuous education and training to take up this role.