title: Prevention of medication errors.
abstract: Medication error is the most frequent source of medical error that is associated with adverse events, and, in many cases, is preventable. Medication errors can occur at any step in the medication process. Medication error prevention and reduction begins with a systematic approach to their detection. An important approach to mitigating errors involves the reduction of variation in task performance using tested techniques and technologies from other industries. The most important component of error prevention and reduction is the proactive promotion of a safety culture by organizational leadership, with sustained education and support for users.
authors.affiliation: Eudowood Neonatal Pulmonary Division, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University, Harvey-Nelson 2-133, 600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21287-3200, USA. clehmann@jhmi.edu
authors.forename: Christoph U
authors.initials: CU
authors.lastname: Lehmann
authors.forename: George R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008510:Medication Systems, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010372:Pediatrics; D017751:Safety Management / Q000458:organization & administration*