Table 3.

Causes associated with medication errors (n = 4008 causes)

Cause of medication error	n	%
Communication‐related factors, n = 3340 (83.3%)
Medical record documentation	717	17.9
Clinical handover	571	14.2
Informal bedside communication	542	13.5
Misinterpretation of order	518	12.9
Misread or unread order	481	12.0
Illegible handwriting	235	5.9
Decimal point	107	2.7
Units of measurement	91	2.3
Telephone communication	56	1.4
Ward round	22	0.5
Confusion with medication name, n = 229 (5.7%)
Generic name confusion	203	5.1
Brand name confusion	26	0.6
Confusion with labelling and reference material, n = 439 (11.0%)
Label of dispensed product is wrong	161	4.0
Problems with reference material	142	3.5
Container of manufacturer similar or confusing	136	3.4