Study results suggest e-prescribing systems may lead to unintended adverse outcomes, including medication errors, according to research published in BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making.
For their study, researchers collected data on medication errors over a five-month period at a large acute-care hospital in the United Kingdom. Medication incidents were then categorized into two groups: sociotechnical incidents (human interactions with the e-prescribing system) and non-sociotechnical incidents.
Results showed 73 (15 percent) of 485 total medication incidents were due to sociotechnical issues. A closer breakout of the results showed adverse outcomes tended to occur in increased proportions on Sundays.
Read the study about medication errors stemming from e-prescribing systems.
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Pilot Program to Assess Electronic Prior Authorization for Prescription Medications
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For their study, researchers collected data on medication errors over a five-month period at a large acute-care hospital in the United Kingdom. Medication incidents were then categorized into two groups: sociotechnical incidents (human interactions with the e-prescribing system) and non-sociotechnical incidents.
Results showed 73 (15 percent) of 485 total medication incidents were due to sociotechnical issues. A closer breakout of the results showed adverse outcomes tended to occur in increased proportions on Sundays.
Read the study about medication errors stemming from e-prescribing systems.
Related Articles on E-Prescribing Systems:
Pilot Program to Assess Electronic Prior Authorization for Prescription Medications
E-Prescriptions Up By 72% in 2010
Study Highlights Barriers to Physicians' Use of E-Prescription Tools