Medication errors resulting from computer entry by nonprescribers.
OBJECTIVE
The characteristics of medication errors associated with the use of computer order-entry systems by nonprescribers are discussed.


METHODS
A retrospective analysis of records submitted to MEDMARX was conducted for the period from July 1, 2001, to December 31, 2005, to identify all computer-related medication errors made by nonprescribers. Quantitative analysis of the records included the severity of each error, the origin within the medication-use process, the type of error, principal causes, the location within the facility where the error was made, and the therapeutic drug classes frequently involved. Similar data from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) were also analyzed and compared with the national data set.


RESULTS
During the 4.5 years, 693 unique facilities submitted 90,001 medication error records that were the result of computer entry by nonprescribers. The national data set and the UPMC data had similar findings for error severity, error origin, and type of error but showed some differences in the rank ordering of error causes, location where the error occurred, and drug classes frequently associated with such errors. The percentage of harm associated with computer-entry errors was small for both the national data set and UPMC data (0.99% and 0.80%, respectively). Both data sets cited performance deficit as the leading cause of computer-entry errors, but large percentage differences were seen with other causes, including inaccurate or omitted transcription (30% versus 12.6%, respectively), documentation (19.5% versus 10.6%, respectively), and procedure or protocol not followed (21.7% versus 30.3%, respectively). Both data sets implicated the inpatient pharmacy department as the location where most computer-entry errors occurred (49.3% versus 69.0%, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Analysis of the characteristics of medication errors associated with the use of computer-entry systems by non-prescribers from both MEDMARX and an individual health system database demonstrated that computer systems create new opportunities for errors to occur. Working closely with information technology personnel dedicated to assisting pharmacy departments and vendors, adequate training of pharmacy staff, and development of national standards for drug information displays in computer order-entry systems may help minimize such errors.
Santell
John P
JP
Department of Pharmacopeial Education, United States Pharmacopeia (USP), Rockville, MD 20852, USA. jps@usp.org
Kowiatek
Joanne G
JG
Weber
Robert J
RJ
Hicks
Rodney W
RW
Sirio
Carl A
CA
D006801:Humans; D050316:Medical Order Entry Systems / Q000592:standards; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000379:methods* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000592:standards; D055656:Prescriptions / Q000592:standards; D012189:Retrospective Studies