Premium
Effectiveness of an electronic inpatient medication record in reducing medication errors in S ingapore
Author(s) -
Choo Janet,
Johnston Linda,
Manias Elizabeth
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
nursing and health sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.563
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1442-2018
pISSN - 1441-0745
DOI - 10.1111/nhs.12078
Subject(s) - medicine , medical prescription , incidence (geometry) , intervention (counseling) , electronic health record , emergency medicine , medication error , computerized physician order entry , medical emergency , patient safety , health care , nursing , physics , optics , economics , economic growth
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.