A total of 738 patients were harmed in medication-related incidents within HSE services last year, according to newly released data.
Of these, 732 incidents resulted in either minor or moderate harm, while six were classified as severe or extreme, reports RTE.
Overall, 10,400 medication-related incidents or near misses were recorded.
More than 7,150 of these incidents reached patients but caused either no harm or only negligible effects, reports RTE.
In excess of 2,540 cases were categorised as near misses, meaning they did not reach the patient.
A medication-related incident is defined as a preventable occurrence that could lead to harm while the medication is under the control of a healthcare professional, reports RTE.
The information was disclosed in an HSE reply to a parliamentary question submitted by Aontú leader Peadar TóibÃn.
The HSE confirmed that five deaths last year were linked to medication errors, reports RTE.
It explained that ‘extreme’ severity in such cases refers to incidents resulting in permanent incapacity, including psychosocial harm, or death.
Of the six cases deemed extreme last year, five involved fatalities, reports RTE.
Data from the State Claims Agency indicates that the most frequent medication error involved doses being omitted or delayed.
Ireland’s public health system manages approximately two million inpatient and day-case treatments annually, along with a similar number of emergency department visits, reports RTE.
The HSE stated that reducing medication-related harm is a key focus within its Patient Safety Strategy, identifying it as a major cause of patient harm and a priority for improvement.
It added that measures are being implemented at local, regional, and national levels to minimise risks associated with medication, reports RTE.
The HSE also noted that a Polypharmacy key performance indicator was introduced this year.
This metric monitors the proportion of individuals aged 65 and older who are prescribed ten or more regular medications, highlighting a higher risk of potentially inappropriate prescribing, reports RTE.
The Health Information and Quality Authority carries out inspections in public hospitals aimed at enhancing patient safety in relation to medication use.
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