Medication accuracy and general practitioner referral letters.
Prescriber medication communication is a Quality Use of Medicines barrier. Medication information in General Practice (GP) referral letters to a physician was evaluated. Accuracy of medications taken and drug dose was respectively 63% and 84%, an overall accuracy rate of 58%. Complementary/over-the-counter medication documentation occurred in 26% of the letters. To avoid medical mismanagement, physicians must validate all GP medication lists regardless of their apparent comprehensiveness.
Carney
S L
SL
School of Medical Practice and Population Health, Faculty of Health, The University of Newcastle, New Australia. shane.carney@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002983:Clinical Competence; D015709:Correspondence as Topic; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010821:Physicians, Family; D012017:Referral and Consultation