title: Validation of automated event triggers using laboratory values related to two problem-prone drugs.
abstract: We used computerized alerts to identify patients with laboratory values that could be related to medication errors associated with digoxin and warfarin. Over a six-week period at two inpatient facilities, we generated 62 laboratory-based alerts for warfarin, and 66 for digoxin. The positive predictive value for these alerts representing a preventable event was 71% and 57% for warfarin and digoxin, respectively.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
authors.forename: Thomas C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Bailey
authors.forename: Laura A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Noirot
authors.forename: Erin M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.forename: Paul E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Milligan
authors.forename: Nancy L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Kimmel
authors.forename: Victoria J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Fraser
authors.forename: Wm Claiborne
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Dunagan
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016303:Clinical Pharmacy Information Systems; D004077:Digoxin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004360:Drug Therapy, Computer-Assisted; D006747:Hospital Communication Systems; D006801:Humans; D019934:International Normalized Ratio; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014859:Warfarin / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D014859:Warfarin; D004077:Digoxin