title: Medication errors in care homes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Care Homes' Use of Medicines Study (Alldred et al, 2009) found medication administration errors occur during drug rounds in care homes.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to establish if there were differences in administration error rates: between tablets and capsules and other formulations; and between tablets and capsules dispensed in monitored dosage systems and those given out in the manufacturer's original packaging.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical pharmacists observed two drug rounds of care home residents in 55 care homes. They compared the error rates of different formulations and monitored dosage systems.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Formulations that are not tablets and capsules, for example inhaled therapy, are particularly at risk of being administered incorrectly.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Care home staff need greater support and training to administer formulations that are not tablets or capsules.
authors.affiliation: School of Healthcare, University of Leeds.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Alldred
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Standage
mesh_terms: D004333:Drug Administration Routes; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology