Incident Factor Analysis by THERP with a View to Preventing Dispensing Errors

Abstract

The authors attempted to quantify the risks of taking individual medicines or medicines in bags in error in the dispensing process using Technique for Human Error Rate Prediction (THERP).From data on dispensing errors occurring during the period from April,2003 to March,2004 in our pharmacy department,we derived parameters for incident analysis by THERP.We determined that in order to reduce the frequency of dispensing errors,highest priority should be placed on 2 inspection items-(1)taking medicine in error and (2)making errors in dispensing quantities of medicines.We therefore focused on these 2 types of error as important check items under THERP which resulted in reducing their frequency,though the reduction was not statistically significant.In conclusion,our findings suggest that THERP is a useful tool for detecting error-prone aspects of the dispensing process.