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Effectiveness of an electronic inpatient medication record in reducing medication errors in Singapore

journal contribution
posted on 2014-06-01, 00:00 authored by J Choo, L Johnston, Elizabeth ManiasElizabeth Manias
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. © 2013 Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.

History

Journal

Nursing and health sciences

Volume

16

Issue

2

Pagination

245 - 254

Publisher

Wiley

Location

London, Eng.

ISSN

1441-0745

eISSN

1442-2018

Language

eng

Publication classification

C Journal article; C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Copyright notice

2014, Wiley-Blackwell