2016 Volume 17 Issue 2 Pages 66-71
A case-cohort study was conducted to identify factors that influence oral medication errors. The cohort consisted of patients who were over 15 years old and prescribed oral medications during hospitalization in a 1,000-bed private general hospital from July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012. The case group consisted of patients who experienced oral medication errors, and the subcohort consisted of patients who were randomly selected from the cohort. Information related to oral medication errors was collected from medical records and incident reports in order to determine the relationship between oral medication errors and each potential associated factor. Multivariate logistic regression analyses was performed with independent variables that influence was suspected and the dependent variable that was characteristic of the case group or subcohort.
The case group consisted of 203 patients and the subcohort consisted of 196 patients. Results revealed that 8 factors were associated medication errors, including storage in different locations, visual impairment, and discontinuation or resumption of a medication. The risk of a medication error increased 1.42 times with each increase in the number of medications prescribed.
In order to avoid medication errors, a system of medication storage should be considered, a pharmacist should be involved when orders from physicians are changed and coordination with pharmacists should be enhanced, and orders and prescriptions from physicians should be integrated in medical records to avoid medication errors.
