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Medical professionals get lesson in penmanship

Patient Safety Monitor Alert, March 24, 2005

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Salem (OR) Hospital recently held a handwriting class for area medical professionals to reduce the chances of medical errors resulting from illegible writing, reports the Statesman Journal.

"The importance of quickly and accurately reading a medical chart or prescription can't be overstated," said instructor Inga Dubay. She and her partner, Barbara Getty, are certified handwriting and calligraphy instructors who have taught their class to medical professionals around the world.

Dubay and Getty taught the professionals at Salem Hospital by having each person write the alphabet, letter by letter.

One physician took the class because her insurer considers the class a patient safety seminar and awards points that will reduce her medical malpractice rates when she accumulates enough points.

One pharmacist expressed his appreciation for the class since he has to makes two or three phone calls daily to doctors whose handwriting pharmacy staff can't decipher.

To read the complete Statesman Journal article, click here.

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