Communication · Volume 4, Issue 2 · pp. 44–46
Prevalence and Types of Prescribing Errors at A Public Tertiary Care Centre in Malaysia
Chee-Tao Chang1, Nalini Krishnasamy2, Harveen Kaur Olikh2, Kamaruddin N2, Huan-Keat Chan3, Mohamed Azmi Hassali4, Omar Thanoon Dawood4
- 1Clinical Research Centre, Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital, 30450 Ipoh, Perak, MALAYSIA.
- 2Department of Pharmacy, Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital, 30450 Ipoh, Perak, MALAYSIA.
- 3Clinical Research Centre, Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital, 05460 Alor Setar, Kedah, MALAYSIA.
- 4School of Pharmaceutical Sciences,University of Science MALAYSIA,11800 Gelugor, Penang, MALAYSIA.
Abstract
Background: The current study aimed to determine the prevalence and types of prescribing errors at a public tertiary care center in Malaysia.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, undertaken at the Pharmacy Department of the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital, Ipoh. All the new prescriptions received during a four-week study period in 2012 were examined for prescribing errors.Results: Of the 11,009 prescriptions screened, 450 (4.1%) were found to have prescribing errors. The Emergency and Trauma Department (16.2%) recorded the highest number of errors. Omission and commission errors, respectively, constituted 56.4% and 40.2% of the cases, while 3.3% of the prescriptions contained illegible handwriting. Unspecified frequency (51.2%) and incorrect dosage (49.7%) were, respectively, the most common omission and commission errors.Conclusion: The findings confirm that prescribing error was common in the hospital. Efforts to reduce such errors, including the introduction of a system conducive to appropriate prescribing, are therefore warranted.
Keywords: Medication errors; Pharmacies; Tertiary care center; Drug-related side effects; Adverse reactions
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