Validation of automated event triggers using laboratory values related to two problem-prone drugs.
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.
Bailey
Thomas C
TC
Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
Noirot
Laura A
LA
Christensen
Erin M
EM
Milligan
Paul E
PE
Kimmel
Nancy L
NL
Fraser
Victoria J
VJ
Dunagan
Wm Claiborne
WC
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*
D000925:Anticoagulants; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D014859:Warfarin; D004077:Digoxin