Identification and quantification of prescription errors.
BACKGROUND
Prescription errors are commonly encountered in health care settings. They can lead to inefficient delivery of health care thus jeopardizing patient care. Knowing the quantum and the possible causes of such errors is the first step in trying to prevent them. We conducted a random audit of prescriptions received in service dispensary of a tertiary care hospital and analyzed them for prescription errors.


METHODS
A total of 1000 prescriptions were randomly selected. These prescriptions were analyzed with the help of three qualified pharmacists and were stratified as per the errors encountered.


RESULTS
Out of the total of 1000 prescriptions, 650 prescriptions (65%) were found to have a total of 1012 errors. Type B errors were found in 22.4% prescriptions, type C errors in 9.7% prescriptions and type D in 69.1% prescriptions.


CONCLUSIONS
Prescription errors require proactive, continuous and meticulous monitoring so as to minimize them. It requires identification of preventable causes, increasing awareness and sensitizing the prescriber towards this important aspect of health care delivery.
Senior Resident (Pharmacology), All India Institute of Medical Science, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110029, India.
Prafull
P
Mohan
Prof and Head, Dept of Pharmacology, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune 411 040, India.
A K
AK
Sharma
Director General Medical Services (Army) & Senior Colonel Commandant, O/o DGMS (Army), L Block, New Delhi, India.
S S
SS
Panwar
Brand names; Errors; Handwriting; Medication; Noncompliance; Prescription