Study of medication errors in Western population of India

Medication use is a complex process in a medical setting & Medication errors (ME) are a significant issues affecting patient safety & lead to dangerous consequences for them. Its root cause analysis (RCA) can help healthcare professionals regarding causative factors of ME. The aim of the study was to evaluate medication errors in the patient visiting multi specialty hospital. Total of 300 patients were observed with 117 ME (39%) cases considering 62 % were males & 38 % female patients. Out of 117 ME 28 % of Transcription errors, 62% of prescription errors,11 % of dispensing errors & 16 % Administration errors. 51% of medication errors were occurring in the age group of 40-60. RCA showed that prescription error was due to Illegible handwriting, Wrong Brand name prescribed; transcription error due to Wrong drug is transcribed; administrative error due to Wrong dose is administered, Wrong drug is administered while dispensing error due to Urgent dispensation not done within 10 to 15 minutes, Wrong dose dispensed. Final concluded with common medication errors were Prescription error & Transcription error accounts for 77% of the total error & it is according Pareto 80:20 principle.