Medication errors in older people with mental health problems: a review.
OBJECTIVE
To review and summarise published data on medication errors in older people with mental health problems.


METHODS
A systematic review was conducted to identify studies that investigated medication errors in older people with mental health problems. MEDLINE, EMBASE, PHARMLINE, COCHRANE COLLABORATION and PsycINFO were searched electronically. Any studies identified were scrutinized for further references. The title, abstract or full text was systematically reviewed for relevance.


RESULTS
Data were extracted from eight studies. In total, information about 728 errors (459 administration, 248 prescribing, 7 dispensing, 12 transcribing, 2 unclassified) was available. The dataset related almost exclusively to inpatients, frequently involved non-psychotropics, and the majority of the errors were not serious.


CONCLUSIONS
Due to methodology issues it was impossible to calculate overall error rates. Future research should concentrate on serious errors within community settings, and clarify potential risk factors.
Kent Institute of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, UK. ian.maidment@nhs.net
Ian D
ID
Maidment
Camilla
C
Haw
Jean
J
Stubbs
Chris
C
Fox
Cornelius
C
Katona
Bryony Dean
BD
Franklin
D000368:Aged; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012307:Risk Factors