Table 3.
Frequency and Type of Errors Causing Medication Discrepancies Among All Patients
| Type of Error | Patient Errors | Dispenser Errors | Prescriber Errors | All Errors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | 22 (7.9) | 6 (2.1) | 16 (5.7) | … |
| II | 4 (1.4) | 21 (7.5) | 4 (1.4) | … |
| III | 31 (11.1) | … | 8 (2.9) | … |
| IV | … | … | 6 (2.1) | … |
| Total errors | 57 (20.4) | 27 (9.6) | 34 (12.1) | 118 |
Data are given as number (percentage). Patient errors: type I: omission of a prescribed medication (did not refill prescription or missing medication not explained by medication out of stock error); type II: taking a medication not prescribed; type III: taking medication at a different frequency or dose from that prescribed. Dispenser errors: type I: discrepancy between prescribed medication or instruction and dispensed medication or instruction; type II: patient not taking prescribed medication because of medication stock out and no referral back to prescriber for alternative medication option. Prescriber errors: type I: dose or frequency inconsistent with guidelines or manufacturer's recommendations; type II: prescription of ≥2 forms of the same medication or medication class; type III: changes in antihypertensive medication prescription without adequate indication or explanation; type IV: incomplete prescription (omission of dose, frequency, or duration).