Quantifying and reducing inhaler prescription errors in secondary care

Zaidi, Seher, Mordaunt, Cathy, Durnin, Nicola, Cooke, Sarah and Blakey, John (2015) 'Quantifying and reducing inhaler prescription errors in secondary care'. International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy, Vol 37, Issue 6, pp. 1028-32.

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Abstract

BACKGROUND
Junior doctors commonly prescribe inhaled medication for patients admitted to hospitals, and this may be a potential source of prescription error. Objective To determine the potential type, frequency and cost of prescription errors for inhaled medication, and ascertain if a simple educational intervention can improve junior doctors' knowledge and reduce these.

METHODS
We carried out a prospective study looking at the types and cost of inhaled prescription errors. Simultaneously we tested knowledge of junior doctors' using a quiz. Both the studies were carried out before and after the introduction of inhaler flash cards (pictures of devices with, instructions on use and the medication they contain) on specific wards. This was followed by an electronic feedback survey.

RESULTS
Error rates varied greatly (p = 6.8 × 10(-8)) by device, with 23 % of Evohaler and Accuhaler prescriptions being incorrect. The average cost of an erroneously prescribed medication was £45.50. There were 14 % incorrect prescriptions before the intervention. There was no significant improvement in junior doctors' knowledge of inhalers or the rate of prescription error after the intervention.

CONCLUSION
Prescription errors of inhaled medication are common and costly to rectify. There is a need for improved teaching and training of junior doctors and medical students.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	W General Medicine. Health Professions > W 21.5 Allied health personnel. Allied health professions ?? W_18 ?? WB Practice of Medicine > Therapeutics > WB 340 Drug Administration WX Hospitals and Other Health Facilities > Clinical Departments and Units > WX 203 Medical personnel. Interns. Staff manuals. Ward manuals and precedent books
Digital Object Identifer (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1007/s11096-015-0198-9
Depositing User:	Jessica Jones
Date Deposited:	02 Nov 2016 10:57
Last Modified:	06 Feb 2018 13:13
URI:	https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/6323

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