title: Effectiveness of an electronic inpatient medication record in reducing medication errors in Singapore.
abstract: This study examined the effectiveness of an inpatient electronic medication record system in reducing medication errors in Singaporean hospitals. This pre- and post-intervention study involving a control group was undertaken in two Singaporean acute care hospitals. In one hospital the inpatient electronic medication record system was implemented while in another hospital the paper-based medication record system was used. The mean incidence difference in medication errors of 0.06 between pre-intervention (0.72 per 1000 patient days) and post-intervention (0.78 per 1000 patient days) for the two hospitals was not statistically significant (95%, CI: [0.26, 0.20]). The mean incidence differences in medication errors relating to prescription, dispensing, and administration were also not statistically different. Common system failures involved a lack of medication knowledge by health professionals and a lack of a systematic approach in identifying correct dosages. There was no difference in the incidence of medication errors following the introduction of the electronic medication record system. More work is needed on how this system can reduce medication error rates and improve medication safety.
authors.affiliation: Changi General Hospital (CGH), Republic of Singapore.
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Choo
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Manias
mesh_terms: D016303:Clinical Pharmacy Information Systems / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D057286:Electronic Health Records / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006779:Hospitals, Public; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007297:Inpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D050316:Medical Order Entry Systems / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010209:Paper; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012846:Singapore; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D055553:Prescription Drugs
keywords: doctors; electronic medication record; medication errors; nurses; patient safety; pharmacists