Toward efficient medication error reduction: error-reducing information management systems.
Hospitals and other health-care providers today are being pressed more than ever to use technologies for reducing medical errors. Particularly, medication errors are likely to increase fast as Americans age. This paper intends to provide a starting point for understanding information technologies and database systems supporting such technologies as Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE), Automated Dispensing System (ADS), and Bar Coding System designed to reduce medication errors in hospitals. Although vendors provide the necessary communication software and applications, actions involving governments, technology vendors, pharmaceutical companies, and clinical researchers are needed to put to actual use the applications with a massive potential to significantly reduce medication-related errors.
Chung
Kyusuk
K
College of Health Professions, Governors State University, University Park, Illinois 60466-0975, USA. k-chung@govst.edu
Choi
Young B
YB
Moon
Sangho
S
D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D001330:Electronic Data Processing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006751:Hospital Information Systems; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000379:methods / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008510:Medication Systems, Hospital