Medication Transcription Errors at a Tertiary Healthcare Facility in Uva Province, Sri Lanka: A Retrospective study

Abstract

Introduction: Medication transcription is an error-prone process in healthcare settings with paper-based documentation. However, it is often preventable. In Sri Lanka, a uniform medication chart is not currently in use.

Objectives: To describe transcription errors with the aim of designing a standardized drug chart to minimize the transcription errors at a tertiary care facility in Uva province, Sri Lanka.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in selected units at Provincial General Hospital, Badulla. All discharged patients after a minimum of 72 hours hospital stay were included. The drug charts of bedhead tickets were scrutinized for transcription errors.

Results: At the time of study, four types of charts were in use. In total 272 drug charts, the median number of drugs was 9 (Interquartile range - IQR 6-12). Median length of patient's stay was 4 days (IQR 3-6). We encountered at least one transcription error of medication details in 88.6% charts. Amongst, medication name transcription error was the most common (220, 80.9%) followed by route (114, 41.9%) and frequency errors (70, 25.7%). During transcribing drug names, majority of charts had spelling errors (203, 74.6%). Although there was a statistically significant association between number of prescribed drugs and presence of at least one medication transcription error (p<.001), there was no significant association to number of days of patient stay (p=.99).

Conclusion: The selected center has a significantly high prevalence of medication transcription errors. Hence, introducing a uniform medication administration chart is encouraged to minimize the opportunities for adverse patient outcomes.