ADMINISTRATIVE STRATEGIES FOR REDUCING MEDICATION AND TREATMENT ERRORS THROUGH INTERDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATION AMONG NURSES, PHARMACISTS, RESPIRATORY THERAPISTS, AND LABORATORY STAFF

Abstract

Medication and treatment errors persist as a critical challenge in healthcare, leading to significant patient harm, mortality, and financial costs. This paper argues that the root cause of many such errors is fragmented, siloed care among the very professionals responsible for patient safety: nurses, pharmacists, respiratory therapists, and laboratory staff. Traditional, person-centered approaches to error reduction have proven insufficient. Instead, a systemic, proactive strategy centered on interdisciplinary collaboration (IDC) is essential. This research explores the foundational administrative strategies required to foster this collaboration, positing that leadership must actively architect the environment for teamwork to thrive. The paper systematically examines key levers for change, including the implementation of structured interdisciplinary rounds (IDRs) and standardized communication tools like SBAR; the strategic deployment of Health Information Technology (HIT) as an integrative nervous system for data sharing and clinical decision support; and the critical role of interprofessional education and a supportive, "just" culture. By synthesizing evidence, this paper concludes that reducing errors is not an outcome of individual heroics but of a deliberately designed system where the collective expertise of the interdisciplinary team is seamlessly leveraged to create a resilient and reliable defense against preventable harm.