Reporting units for therapeutic drug monitoring: a correctable source of potential clinical error.
Variation between laboratories and reference sources in the units used for reporting pathology results raises the possibility of medical error. Data submitted to the RCPA Quality Assurance Programs demonstrate wide variation in the units used for reporting therapeutic drug concentrations. This potential source of medical error needs to be addressed by all parties involved in communicating drug concentrations and providing support information.
Jones
Graham R D
GR
Department of Chemical Pathology, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, NSW. gjones@stvincents.com.au
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001315:Australia; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D019300:Medical Errors; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*