Overview Medication errors are a major concern in healthcare, with prescription-related issues being the most common. Though rarely fatal, they significantly impact patient safety and quality of care. Prescription errors occur during the act of writing, while prescribing faults arise from poor clinical judgment or inappropriate treatment decisions. Together, these account for a large proportion of avoidable adverse effects.
Types of Errors Prescription Errors (≈70% of medication errors): Errors in writing, calculation, legibility, or misinterpretation due to abbreviations or incomplete instructions. Prescribing Faults: Irrational, inappropriate, under- or over-prescribing, and ineffective prescribing, often due to poor decision-making or lack of drug knowledge. Common Observed Errors Wrong drug quantity (40%) Wrong duration of therapy (21%) Wrong dosing directions (19%) Wrong dosage…
