Evaluation of pattern of medication errors in a tertiary care hospital in South India: A prospective observational study

Kanathur N Chaithra; Eregodu Manjunath Sparshadeep; Bai G Priyadarshini; Basavaraj Rajesh; Gowthamapura V Kavana; Begum N Shabeena; Mudmakudu N Dakshayini

doi:10.5455/njppp.2023.13.06320202326062023

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Original Research
Online Published: 04 Jul 2023

Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. 2023; 13(2023, Vol: 13, Issue: 8): 1756-1760

doi: 10.5455/njppp.2023.13.06320202326062023

Evaluation of pattern of medication errors in a tertiary care hospital in South India: A prospective observational study

Kanathur N Chaithra, Eregodu Manjunath Sparshadeep, Bai G Priyadarshini, Basavaraj Rajesh, Gowthamapura V Kavana, Begum N Shabeena, Mudmakudu N Dakshayini.

Abstract
Background: Medication errors (MEs) increase morbidity, mortality, and economic burden to health-care system. MEs are the sixth highest cause of death in America. Documented data, studies, and reporting of MEs in India are limited.

Aims and Objectives: The study was undertaken with the objectives to determine the frequency and the nature of medication errors in the hospital.

Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study of 6-month duration was conducted using prescriptions (n = 1007) of patients admitted as inpatients in wards and intensive care unit in the hospital. Sensitization programs were regularly carried out to health-care professionals. The case records and treatment charts of patients in wards were reviewed and the patients or caretakers were interviewed to gather information. Standard hospital proforma for medication errors was used to collect data. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics in Excel.

Results: Overall, medication error rate was 26.81% in 6 months with a declining trend from the initial 36.11% month of study period. Prescription, dispensing, administration, and documentation errors were, respectively, 92.2%, 4.1%, 3.3%, and 17.8%. Errors pertaining to writing generic names, doses, and routes of drug administration were, respectively, 73%, 48.5%, and 35.2%. Majority (94.8%) of ME belonged to category B of the National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention index.

Conclusion: The current study observed a high prescription error rate in hospital emphasizing the need for ME sensitization/training program to doctors and nurses. The study observed a declining trend in ME rate that would be attributed to the ongoing sensitization program. The study also indicates an enhanced requirement for the implementation of regular and rigorous reporting system in the hospital.

Key words: Medication Errors; Program Evaluation; Data Reporting; Inappropriate Prescription

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Pubmed Style

Chaithra KN, Sparshadeep EM, Priyadarshini BG, Rajesh B, Kavana GV, Shabeena BN, Dakshayini MN. Evaluation of pattern of medication errors in a tertiary care hospital in South India: A prospective observational study. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. 2023; 13(2023, Vol: 13, Issue: 8): 1756-1760. doi:10.5455/njppp.2023.13.06320202326062023

Web Style

Chaithra KN, Sparshadeep EM, Priyadarshini BG, Rajesh B, Kavana GV, Shabeena BN, Dakshayini MN. Evaluation of pattern of medication errors in a tertiary care hospital in South India: A prospective observational study. https://www.njppp.com/?mno=157433 [Access: April 17, 2025]. doi:10.5455/njppp.2023.13.06320202326062023

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Chaithra KN, Sparshadeep EM, Priyadarshini BG, Rajesh B, Kavana GV, Shabeena BN, Dakshayini MN. Evaluation of pattern of medication errors in a tertiary care hospital in South India: A prospective observational study. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. 2023; 13(2023, Vol: 13, Issue: 8): 1756-1760. doi:10.5455/njppp.2023.13.06320202326062023

Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Chaithra KN, Sparshadeep EM, Priyadarshini BG, Rajesh B, Kavana GV, Shabeena BN, Dakshayini MN. Evaluation of pattern of medication errors in a tertiary care hospital in South India: A prospective observational study. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. (2023), [cited April 17, 2025]; 13(2023, Vol: 13, Issue: 8): 1756-1760. doi:10.5455/njppp.2023.13.06320202326062023

Harvard Style

Chaithra, K. N., Sparshadeep, . E. M., Priyadarshini, . B. G., Rajesh, . B., Kavana, . G. V., Shabeena, . B. N. & Dakshayini, . M. N. (2023) Evaluation of pattern of medication errors in a tertiary care hospital in South India: A prospective observational study. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol, 13 (2023, Vol: 13, Issue: 8), 1756-1760. doi:10.5455/njppp.2023.13.06320202326062023

Turabian Style

Chaithra, Kanathur N, Eregodu Manjunath Sparshadeep, Bai G Priyadarshini, Basavaraj Rajesh, Gowthamapura V Kavana, Begum N Shabeena, and Mudmakudu N Dakshayini. 2023. Evaluation of pattern of medication errors in a tertiary care hospital in South India: A prospective observational study. National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 13 (2023, Vol: 13, Issue: 8), 1756-1760. doi:10.5455/njppp.2023.13.06320202326062023

Chicago Style

Chaithra, Kanathur N, Eregodu Manjunath Sparshadeep, Bai G Priyadarshini, Basavaraj Rajesh, Gowthamapura V Kavana, Begum N Shabeena, and Mudmakudu N Dakshayini. "Evaluation of pattern of medication errors in a tertiary care hospital in South India: A prospective observational study." National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology 13 (2023), 1756-1760. doi:10.5455/njppp.2023.13.06320202326062023

MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Chaithra, Kanathur N, Eregodu Manjunath Sparshadeep, Bai G Priyadarshini, Basavaraj Rajesh, Gowthamapura V Kavana, Begum N Shabeena, and Mudmakudu N Dakshayini. "Evaluation of pattern of medication errors in a tertiary care hospital in South India: A prospective observational study." National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology 13.2023, Vol: 13, Issue: 8 (2023), 1756-1760. Print. doi:10.5455/njppp.2023.13.06320202326062023

APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Chaithra, K. N., Sparshadeep, . E. M., Priyadarshini, . B. G., Rajesh, . B., Kavana, . G. V., Shabeena, . B. N. & Dakshayini, . M. N. (2023) Evaluation of pattern of medication errors in a tertiary care hospital in South India: A prospective observational study. National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 13 (2023, Vol: 13, Issue: 8), 1756-1760. doi:10.5455/njppp.2023.13.06320202326062023

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