| How are medication errors defined? A systematic literature review of definitions and characteristics. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 20956285 Owner: NLM Status: In-Process |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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OBJECTIVE: Multiplicity in terminology has been suggested as a possible explanation for the variation in the prevalence of medication errors. So far, few empirical studies have challenged this assertion. The objective of this review was, therefore, to describe the extent and characteristics of medication error definitions in hospitals and to consider the consequences for measuring the prevalence of medication errors. DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SELECTION: and data extraction Studies were searched for in PubMed, PsychINFO, Embase and CINAHL employing primary search terms such as 'medication errors' and 'adverse drug events'. Peer-reviewed articles containing these terms as primary end-points were included. Study country, year, aim, design, data-collection methods, sample-size, interventions and MAIN RESULT: were extracted. Result of data synthesis Forty-five of 203 relevant studies provided a generic definition of medication errors including 26 different forms of wordings. The studies conducted in nine countries represented a variety of clinical settings and the approach was mainly descriptive. Of utmost importance is the documented prevalence of medication errors, which ranged from 2 to 75% with no associations found between definitions and prevalence. CONCLUSION: Inconsistency in defining medication errors has been confirmed. It appears that definitions and methods of detection rather than being reproducible and reliable methods are subject to the individual researcher's preferences. Thus, application of a clear-cut definition, standardized terminology and reliable methods has the potential to greatly improve the quality and consistency of medication error reporting. Efforts to achieve a common accepted definition that defines the scope and content are therefore needed. |
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Authors:
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M Lisby; L P Nielsen; B Brock; J Mainz |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article Date: 2010-10-17 |
Journal Detail:
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Title: International journal for quality in health care : journal of the International Society for Quality in Health Care / ISQua Volume: 22 ISSN: 1464-3677 ISO Abbreviation: Int J Qual Health Care Publication Date: 2010 Dec |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2010-11-22 Completed Date: - Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 9434628 Medline TA: Int J Qual Health Care Country: England |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 507-18 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus Sygehus, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. marilisb@rm.dk |
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From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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