Patricia M. L. A. van den Bemt
Utrecht University, Elisabeth-TweeSteden Ziekenhuis, Erasmus MC
Papers
3
Total Citations
154
H-Index
3
About
Patricia M. L. A. van den Bemt is a leading researcher in medication safety, with a particular focus on high-risk populations and the final, critical stage of drug delivery—administration. Her work centers on identifying the frequency and root causes of medication administration errors (MAEs) in vulnerable, non-alert patient groups, such as the elderly in nursing homes and individuals with intellectual disabilities. In a landmark 2009 study (86 citations), she prospectively investigated MAEs in nursing homes using automated dispensing systems, revealing that even with technological aids, errors remain a significant threat. Her earlier observational work (2007, 36 citations) highlighted the unique dangers of administration errors in institutions for people with intellectual disabilities, where patients cannot act as a final safety barrier. Building on this, she developed and tested targeted interventions, such as a specialized protocol for administering medication through enteral feeding tubes (2009, 32 citations), demonstrating that tailored, practical solutions can substantially reduce harm. Through her rigorous, observational methodology and focus on the "last mile" of medication use, van den Bemt has provided crucial evidence for improving patient safety in settings where the margin for error is smallest.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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