British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology · 2009 · 232 citations · 37 references
ComputingHealth InformaticsHealth Information ManagementElectronic Health RecordsHealth Information SystemsHealthcare Information SystemsAutomated Dispensing SystemsMedication Administration SystemsMedication ErrorsMedication Management InformaticsMedication Management SystemsPharmacy Information SystemsBarcode Medication Administration SystemsEconomic IncentivesElectronic Medication ReconciliationElectronic Personal Health RecordsMedication Error PreventionMedication Error ReductionPatient Harm PreventionPhysician Order Entry
Medication errors are frequent, costly, and harmful, making their prevention a global priority, and IT systems such as CPOE, automated dispensing, barcode medication administration, electronic medication reconciliation, and personal health records are key tools, though high costs remain a barrier that requires economic incentives and policy support. The paper reviews the current state of IT systems in preventing medication errors. It examines the evidence for these IT systems. The abstract contains four numbered items.
1. Given the high frequency of medication errors with resultant patient harm and cost, their prevention is a worldwide priority for health systems. 2. Systems that use information technology (IT), such as computerized physician order entry, automated dispensing, barcode medication administration, electronic medication reconciliation, and personal health records, are vital components of strategies to prevent medication errors, and a growing body of evidence calls for their widespread implementation. 3. However, important barriers, such as the high costs of such systems, must be addressed through economic incentives and government policies. 4. This paper provides a review of the current state of IT systems in preventing medication errors.
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Incidence of Adverse Drug Events and Potential Adverse Drug Events
David W. Bates · JAMA · 1995 · 2.1K citations