RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 A classification of prescription errors.
JF The Journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners
JO J R Coll Gen Pract
FD British Journal of General Practice
SP 110
OP 112
VO 39
IS 320
A1 R G Neville
A1 F Robertson
A1 S Livingstone
A1 I K Crombie
YR 1989
UL http://bjgp.org/content/39/320/110.abstract
AB Three independent methods of study of prescription errors led to the development of a classification of errors based on the potential effects and inconvenience to patients, pharmacists and doctors. Four types of error are described: type A (potentially serious to patient); type B (major nuisance - pharmacist/doctor contact required); type C (minor nuisance - pharmacist must use professional judgement); and type D (trivial). The types of frequency of errors are detailed for a group of eight principals from one health centre. There were a total of 504 errors from 15,916 prescription items (3.17%) during a three month observation period. A close correspondence was found between individual doctor's types of error rates, suggesting that doctors who make type C and D errors are also likely to make type B (major nuisance) errors. A system of feedback of errors from each doctor was devised. No significant reduction was seen in error rates, possibly because the group of self selected doctors taking part had low error rates initially. It is suggested that pharmacists and doctors should work closely together to prevent the potentially harmful consequences of prescription errors.