title: The basic principles which apply to the writing of prescriptions.
abstract: Case Scenario: A woman in a private hospital was prescribed a top-up epidural following a hysterectomy. The junior doctor mistook a dose of 3 ml of a diamorphine for 30 ml. The woman collapsed following its administration and the doctor was unable to use the resuscitation equipment as he had not had the necessary training. Although the consultant was able to revive her, she died a few days later (Kennedy, 2000). Who is liable?
authors.affiliation: University of Glamorgan, UK.
authors.forename: Bridgit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dimond
mesh_terms: D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000592:standards*; D017408:Guidelines as Topic / Q000592:standards*; D006236:Handwriting; D006801:Humans; D016365:Liability, Legal; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D006113:United Kingdom; D014956:Writing