Researchers estimate that nearly half of adverse drug events are caused by dosing or monitoring errors, according to a study published in BMJ Quality and Safety.
To determine the frequency of adverse drug events and the extent of the harm caused by these events, researchers retrospectively reviewed a study on 14,041 medication administrations. The study included 1,271 medication errors, of which 133 had the potential to cause serious or life-threatening harm.
The researchers' review showed 10 of the 133 potentially harmful events resulted actually resulted in harm. Of the 10, six were significant, three were serious and one was life-threatening. Half of all adverse drug events were caused by dosing or monitoring error for anti-hypertensives.
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To determine the frequency of adverse drug events and the extent of the harm caused by these events, researchers retrospectively reviewed a study on 14,041 medication administrations. The study included 1,271 medication errors, of which 133 had the potential to cause serious or life-threatening harm.
The researchers' review showed 10 of the 133 potentially harmful events resulted actually resulted in harm. Of the 10, six were significant, three were serious and one was life-threatening. Half of all adverse drug events were caused by dosing or monitoring error for anti-hypertensives.
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