Prescribing errors : what’s the story?

Abstract

Although prescribing errors are one of the most common causes of preventable iatrogenic injury, there have been relatively few studies of their incidence and causes. The majority of the studies that have been carried out have been based in secondary care. This paper reviews what is currently known about prescribing errors. It is suggested that prescribing errors occur in at least 1-2% of all medication orders written, cause harm in about 1% of admissions, and have a wide range of causes. Organisation-wide interventions and cultural changes are likely to be required to prevent them. However, useful first steps suggested include reporting prescribing errors identified, formally reviewing pharmacists’ interventions and developing increased ‘error awareness’ amongst all health care professionals.