Table 3 Unintended discrepancies
Variable | Frequency (Percentage) N = 195 |
|---|---|
Unintended Discrepancies by Type | |
Omission | 140 (71.8) |
Wrong dose | 25 (12.8) |
Wrong medication | 14 (7.2) |
Wrong frequency | 10 (5.1) |
Duplication | 4 (2.1) |
Wrong route | 2 (1.0) |
Unintended Discrepancies by Medication Route of Administration | |
Oral | 180 (92.3) |
Inhaled | 7 (3.6) |
Subcutaneous | 3 (1.5) |
Topical | 2 (1.0) |
Intravenous | 2 (1.0) |
Ophthalmic | 1 (0.5) |
Unintended Discrepancies by Class | |
1. Dietary supplements (vitamins, minerals, herbal supplements) | 54 (27.7) |
2. Medications (prescription and OTCa medications) | |
a. Anti-hyperlipidemic agents | 14 (7.2) |
b. Medications for reflux disease | 14 (7.2) |
c. Medications for asthma/COPD | 14 (7.2) |
d. Beta-blockers | 10 (5.1) |
e. Antidepressants/Anxiolytics | 10 (5.1) |
f. Oral antidiabetic/Insulin | 10 (5.1) |
g. Hormonal therapy | 9 (4.6) |
h. Analgesics | 9 (4.6) |
i. Medications acting on renin-angiotensin system | 6 (3.0) |
j. Antibiotics | 4 (2.0) |
k.Thyroid replacement/Anti-thyroid | 4 (2.0) |
l. Osteoporosis | 4 (2.0) |
m. Antiepileptic agents | 3 (1.5) |
n. Other medications (Anti-diarrheal/Laxatives/Antispasmodics; Anti-arrhythmic agents, anti-gout agents, Aspirin, Antianginal, Corticosteroids, Immunosuppressant, H-1 Blockers, Anticoagulant, Ophthalmic lubricant) | 30 (15.3) |
Proximal Cause of Unintended Discrepancy | |
Patient forgetfulness/Lack of knowledge | 113 (57.9) |
Clinician lack of knowledge/familiarity with medication | 20 (10.3) |
Dosage form confusion | 1 (0.5) |
Name similarity | 1 (0.5) |
Reason unidentified | 60 (30.8) |
Potential Severity of Unintended Discrepancy | |
Clinically insignificant | 122 (62.6) |
Clinically significant | 71 (36.4) |
Serious | 2 (1.0) |