Published on:June 2018
    Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Community Medicine, 2018; 4(2):44-46
    Short Communication | doi:10.5530/jppcm.2018.2.12


    Prevalence and Types of Prescribing Errors at A Public Tertiary Care Centre in Malaysia


    Authors and affiliation (s):

    Chee-Tao Chang*, Nalini Krishnasamy1, Harveen Kaur Olikh1, Kamaruddin N1, Huan-Keat Chan2, Mohamed Azmi Hassali3, Omar Thanoon Dawood3

    Clinical Research Centre, Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital, 30450 Ipoh, Perak, MALAYSIA.

    1Department of Pharmacy, Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital, 30450 Ipoh, Perak, MALAYSIA.

    2Clinical Research Centre, Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital, 05460 Alor Setar, Kedah, MALAYSIA.

    3School of Pharmaceutical Sciences,University of Science MALAYSIA,11800 Gelugor, Penang, MALAYSIA.

    Abstract:

    Background: The current study aimed to determine the prevalence and types of prescribing errors at a public tertiary care center in Malaysia. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, undertaken at the Pharmacy Department of the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital, Ipoh. All the new prescriptions received during a four-week study period in 2012 were examined for prescribing errors. Results: Of the 11,009 prescriptions screened, 450 (4.1%) were found to have prescribing errors. The Emergency and Trauma Department (16.2%) recorded the highest number of errors. Omission and commission errors, respectively, constituted 56.4% and 40.2% of the cases, while 3.3% of the prescriptions contained illegible handwriting. Unspecified frequency (51.2%) and incorrect dosage (49.7%) were, respectively, the most common omission and commission errors. Conclusion: The findings confirm that prescribing error was common in the hospital. Efforts to reduce such errors, including the introduction of a system conducive to appropriate prescribing, are therefore warranted.

    Key words: Medication errors, Pharmacies, Tertiary care center, Drug-related side effects, Adverse reactions.

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