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USP report finds that computers contribute to medication errors

Patient Safety Monitor Alert, December 22, 2004

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Despite the perception that technology will improve patient safety and reduce medication errors, almost 20% of hospital and health system medication errors reported to the United States Pharmacopeia's (USP) MEDMARX program in 2003 involved computerization or automation, according to MEDMARX 5th anniversary data report: A chartbook of 2003 findings and trends 1999-2003, released on December 20.

"It would seem logical that applying computer technology to the medication use process would have a significant positive impact in preventing medication errors," said Diane Cousins, vice president of USP's Center for the Advancement of Patient Safety. "Yet, depending on the computer's design or user competence, new points of potential errors can emerge."

Computer entry errors-errors that occur when incorrect or incomplete information is entered into a computer system-were the fourth leading cause of medication errors according to the MEDMARX data. Nearly 75% of these errors occur after an order is written but before the medication is administered to the patient, according to the report.

To read the USP's press release on the report, click here.

To purchase a copy of the report, click here.

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