Assessing the accuracy of computerized medication histories.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the accuracy of computerized medication histories.


METHODS
Cross-sectional observational study.


METHODS
The study sample included 493 Department of Veterans Affairs primary care patients aged 65 years or older who were receiving at least 5 prescriptions. A semistructured interview confirmed medication, allergy, and adverse drug reaction (ADR) histories. Accuracy of the computerized medication lists was assessed, including omissions (medications not on the computer record) and commissions (medications on the computer record that were no longer being taken). Allergy and ADR records also were assessed.


RESULTS
Patients were taking a mean of 12.4 medications: 65% prescription, 23% over-the-counter products, and 12% vitamins/herbals. There was complete agreement between the computer medication list and what the patient was taking for only 5.3% of patients. There were 3.1 drug omissions per patient, and 25% of the total number of medications taken by patients were omitted from the electronic medical record. There were 1.3 commissions per patient, and the patients were not taking 12.6% of all active medications on the computer profile. In addition, 23.2% of allergies and 63.9% of ADRs were not in the computerized record.


CONCLUSIONS
Very few computerized medication histories were accurate. Inaccurate medication information may compromise patient care and limit the utility of medication databases for research and for assessment of the quality of prescribing and disease management.
Kaboli
Peter J
PJ
Center for Research in the Implementation of Innovative Strategies in Practice at the Iowa City VA Medical Center, Iowa City, Iowa, USA. peter-kaboli@uiowa.edu
McClimon
Brad J
BJ
Hoth
Angela B
AB
Barnett
Mitchell J
MJ
D000368:Aged; D017047:Cost Sharing; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000145:classification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017723:Drug Utilization Review; D005260:Female; D006751:Hospital Information Systems / Q000592:standards*; D006787:Hospitals, Veterans / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007484:Iowa; D008297:Male; D008487:Medical History Taking / Q000592:standards*; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized / Q000592:standards*; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000592:standards; D019338:Polypharmacy; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000592:standards; D012107:Research Design; D012646:Self Administration / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012651:Self Medication / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States; D014493:United States Department of Veterans Affairs; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data