Cited by 106Electronic Health Records SystemsPatient Safety and Medication ErrorsPharmaceutical Practices and Patient Outcomes

Prescription Errors and Outcomes Related to Inconsistent Information Transmitted Through Computerized Order Entry: A Prospective Study

Open access
Singh, Hardeep, Mani, Shrinidi, Espadas, Donna, Petersen, Nancy, Franklin, Veronica, Petersen, Laura A.·2009·Archives of Internal Medicine

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Although several types of computerized provider order entry (CPOE)-related errors may occur, errors related to inconsistent information within the same prescription (ie, mismatch between the structured template and the associated free-text field) have not been described, to our knowledge. We determined the nature and frequency of such errors and identified their potential predictive variables. METHODS: In this prospective study, we enrolled pharmacists to report prescriptions containing inconsistent communication over a 4-month period at a tertiary care facility. We also electronically retrieved all prescriptions written during the study period containing any comments in the free-text field and then randomly selected 500 for manual review to determine inconsistencies between free-text and structured fields. Of these, prescriptions without inconsistencies were categorized as controls. Data on potentially predictive variables from reported and unreported errors and controls were collected. For all inconsistencies, we determined their nature (eg, drug dosage or administration schedule) and potential harm and used multivariate logistic regression models to identify factors associated with errors and harm. RESULTS: Of 55 992 new prescriptions, 532 (0.95%) were reported to contain inconsistent communication, a rate comparable to that obtained from the unreported group. Drug dosage was the most common inconsistent element among both groups. Certain medications were more likely associated with errors, as was the inpatient setting (odds ratio, 3.30; 95% confidence interval, 2.18-5.00) and surgical subspecialty (odds ratio, 2.45; 95% confidence interval, 1.57-3.82). About 20% of errors could have resulted in moderate to severe harm, for which significant independent predictors were found. CONCLUSIONS: Despite standardization of data entry, inconsistent communication in CPOE poses a significant risk to safety. Improving the usability of the CPOE interface and integrating it with workflow may reduce this risk.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1001/archinternmed.2009.102

Cites

28 of 28 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 25 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data

    Medications needing a complex order were highly correlated with error.

    “Medications needing a complex order (eg, a tapering dose of prednisone) were highly correlated with error.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingnone given

    Comments were transferred to the new prescription when modifying an existing prescription.

    “Second, comments were transferred to the new prescription when modifying an existing prescription.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Certain medication classes were more likely to have errors, with the highest odds for steroids (OR, 7.62; 95% CI, 3.11-18.63) compared with analgesics.

    “Certain medication classes were also more likely to have errors, with the highest odds of error occurring for steroids (OR, 7.62; 95% CI, 3.11–18.63) compared with analgesics.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Most errors (68.3%) occurred in prescriptions for inpatients.

    “Most errors (68.3%) occurred in prescriptions for inpatients,”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    112 errors (20.1%) could have resulted in moderate to severe harm.

    “112 errors could have resulted in moderate to severe harm (considerable, very serious, serious permanent damage, or death) (20.1%).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims. 17
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 15
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Pharmacists used the free-text comment in 88.9% of cases to fill the final prescription, the structured template in 9.2%, and a combination in 1.9%.

    “Pharmacists used the free-text comment in 88.9% of cases to fill the final prescription, the structured template in 9.2% of cases, and in combination in the remainder (1.9%).”
    • Also stated in: § COMMENT · hedged
      “in over 90% of cases the pharmacists used the free-text information either by itself or combined it with information from the structured template”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Only 2 reported errors were discovered after reaching the patient and did not result in harm.

    “Only 2 reported errors were discovered after reaching the patient and did not result in harm.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Ordering provider type, specialty, inpatient versus outpatient setting, and medication class differed significantly between prescriptions with inconsistent communication and controls.

    “The following variables differed significantly between the 2 groups: ordering provider type (P=.04) and specialty (P<.001), inpatient vs outpatient setting (P<.001), and medication class (P<.001).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    23.1% of unreported errors could have resulted in moderate to severe harm, statistically no different from reported errors (P=.62).

    “Of note, 23.1% of unreported errors could have resulted in moderate to severe harm, statistically no different from reported errors (P=.62).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Inpatient setting (OR, 3.30; 95% CI, 2.18-5.00) and non-primary care specialties such as surgery (OR, 2.45; 95% CI, 1.57-3.82) were more likely to have errors.

    “Inpatient setting (OR, 3.30; 95% CI, 2.18–5.00) and non–primary care specialties such as surgery (OR, 2.45; 95% CI, 1.57–3.82) were more likely to have errors.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Many kinds of CPOE-related errors have been reported in recent years.

    “many types of CPOE-related errors have been described in recent years.5–10”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 6 sources checked
    • cites [5] Ash JS Berg M Coiera E Some unintended consequences of information technology in health care: the nature of patient care information system-related errors J Am Med Inform Assoc 2004 March 11 2 104 12 14633936 PMC353015

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [6] Berger RG Kichak JP Computerized physician order entry: helpful or harmful? J Am Med Inform Assoc 2004 March 11 2 100 3 14633934 PMC353014

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [7] Harrison MI Koppel R Bar-Lev S Unintended consequences of information technologies in health care--an interactive sociotechnical analysis J Am Med Inform Assoc 2007 September 14 5 542 9 17600093 PMC1975796

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [8] Horsky J Kuperman GJ Patel VL Comprehensive analysis of a medication dosing error related to CPOE Journal Of The American Medical Informatics Association: JAMIA 12 4 377 82 15802485 PMC1174881

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [9] Koppel R Metlay JP Cohen A Role of computerized physician order entry systems in facilitating medication errors JAMA 2005 March 9 293 10 1197 203 15755942

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [10] Weiner JP Kfuri T Chan K Fowles JB “e-Iatrogenesis”: the most critical unintended consequence of CPOE and other HIT J Am Med Inform Assoc 2007 May 14 3 387 8 17329719 PMC2244888

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    The study obtained a comparable estimate of error rate (1%) using both reporting and electronic search, adding strength to the findings.

    “We obtained a comparable estimate of error rate (ie, 1%) using both reporting and electronic search, adding strength to our findings.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductnone given

    The study was approved by the local institutional review board and the MEDVAMC research and development committee.

    “approved by the local institutional review board and the MEDVAMC research and development committee.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Most errors studied did not reach the patient because of pharmacist intervention, but they pose a significant potential risk to patients.

    “Although most errors we studied did not reach the patient because of pharmacist intervention, they pose a significant potential risk to patients.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductnone given

    The study included a large variety of medications and a large number of providers (>500).

    “Additional study strengths include a large variety of medications, a large number of providers (>500), and an advanced CPOE system fairly representative of other systems.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The advanced CPOE system used in the study is fairly representative of other CPOE systems.
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Chused et al. reported communication failures from free-text comments entered in response to alert overrides, suggesting that commercial CPOE systems may not protect against the problem.

    “Chused et al21 recently reported communication failures resulting from free-text comments entered in response to alert overrides, suggesting that commercial CPOE systems may not also protect against the problem.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Chused et al21

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given

    Defaults may not be comprehensive and may be based on inventory rather than clinical guidelines.

    “Although defaults can be helpful, they may not be comprehensive and may be based on inventory rather than clinical guidelines.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationreasoning

    The potential for moderate to severe harm is likely more significant given the expected increase in the volume of prescriptions written through future CPOE systems.

    “The potential for moderate to severe harm is likely more significant given the expected increase in the volume of prescriptions written through future CPOE systems.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Poor communication is frequently cited as a preventable factor in adverse events.

    “Because poor communication is an often-cited preventable factor in adverse events,15”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [15] Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations Sentinel event statistics, March 31, 2006 Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations 2005 Available at: URL: http://www.jointcommission.org/NR/rdonlyres/FA465646-5F5F-4543-AC8F-E8AF6571E372/0/root_cause_se.jpg 17139928

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Errors could be prevented by minor modifications in the CPOE template regarding administration time or duration and/or stop time for a medication.

    “we found errors that could be prevented by minor modifications in the CPOE template regarding administration time or duration and/or stop time for a medication.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductreasoning

    Variables with small numbers of patients with a given characteristic were removed or combined to ensure stable and precise estimates of odds ratios.

    “To ensure that the model had stable and precise estimates of ORs, variables with small numbers of patients with a given characteristic (eg, ordering providers listed as clinical support, clinical specialist, or unknown) were removed or combined (eg, geriatrics, other medicine, spinal cord injury, and psychiatry specialties were all combined as “other specialties” in the model to predict harm), and”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductreasoning

    Only slightly more than two-thirds of eligible pharmacists participated, and hence there is almost certainly selection bias.

    “Only slightly more than two-thirds of eligible pharmacists participated in the study, and hence there is almost certainly selection bias.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Even though most errors of inconsistent communication would have caused inconvenience or minor harm, the potential for more severe harm is significant given the large volume of prescriptions written.

    “Even though most errors of inconsistent communication would have caused inconvenience or minor harm, the potential for more severe harm is significant, given the large volume of prescriptions written.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductown data

    A generalized estimating equation approach was used to account for potential correlation among errors nested within providers.

    “A generalized estimating equation approach in which errors were nested within providers allowed us to account for the potential correlation among errors.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Similar communication breakdowns likely occur in other Veterans Affairs facilities using the same CPOE system, but the true prevalence across Veterans Affairs institutions is unknown.

    “while it is likely that similar communication breakdowns occur in other Veterans Affairs facilities using the same CPOE system, we ac-knowledge that the true prevalence across Veterans Affairs institutions is unknown.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Free-text comments are printed on the dispensed medication label, which may confuse or harm the patient.

    “the free-text comments are printed on the label of the dispensed medication, which may confuse or harm the patient.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Free-text comments are printed on the label of the dispensed medication.
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Interpretationreasoning

    Simple training on the use of complex orders for certain prescriptions could reduce errors.

    “simple training on the use of complex orders for certain prescriptions could reduce errors.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    A prior study identified 22 different medication error types, including fragmented CPOE displays and inflexible ordering formats.

    “a study using both qualitative and quantitative methods to study house staff interaction with a CPOE system at a tertiary care facility identified 22 different types of medication errors, including fragmented CPOE displays and inflexible ordering formats.9”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [9] Koppel R Metlay JP Cohen A Role of computerized physician order entry systems in facilitating medication errors JAMA 2005 March 9 293 10 1197 203 15755942

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    The study was conducted at a single site where all providers used the same CPOE system, and generalizability may be limited.

    “It was conducted at a single site where all providers used the same CPOE system, and although it involved a large number of patients and providers, including trainees, generalizability may be limited.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    Two investigators assigned harm categories by consensus using the Human Error Consequence Scale.

    “Two investigators (a physician and pharmacist) assigned harm categories by consensus using the Human Error Consequence Scale20 after evaluating the results from the initial data collection.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [20] Gilpatrick E Health Services Mobility Study Final Report (October 1967-March 1972) New York, NY City Univ. of New York Research Foundation 1972 Jan 1 Report No.: ERIC Reports ED066613

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Interpretationreasoning

    The free-text window offers a valuable option to communicate clarifications or nonstandard information.

    “the free text window offers a valuable option to communicate clarifications or nonstandard information.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    Of 45 pharmacists, 33 agreed to report errors.

    “Of 45 pharmacists, 33 agreed to report errors.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
27 of 27
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Order entry errors related to inconsistent information within the same prescription had not been described before this study.

    “To our knowledge, order entry errors related to inconsistent information within the same prescription have not been described.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    This is the first study reporting errors of communication due to free-text comments in CPOE systems.

    “To our knowledge, this is also the first study reporting errors of communication due to free-text comments in CPOE systems.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    All CPOE systems have some method of entering free text.

    “All CPOE systems have some method of entering free text.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Underreporting is a well-recognized phenomenon in similar studies.

    “Because underreporting is a well recognized phenomenon in similar studies”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Free-text comments are printed on the label of the dispensed medication.

    “the free-text comments are printed on the label of the dispensed medication”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The advanced CPOE system used in the study is fairly representative of other CPOE systems.

    “an advanced CPOE system fairly representative of other systems”
6 of 6

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

1 of the 29 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.

Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. [15]Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations Sentinel event statistics, March 31, 2006 Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations 2005 Available at: URL: http://www.jointcommission.org/NR/rdonlyres/FA465646-5F5F-4543-AC8F-E8AF6571E372/0/root_cause_se.jpg 17139928
  2. [26]Schoeffel R The concept of product usability ISO Bulletin 34[3], 6–7 2003 Ref Type: Generic

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Singh, H., Mani, S., Espadas, D., Petersen, N., Franklin, V., & Petersen, L. A.
Affiliations
Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (US)
Venue
Archives of Internal Medicine
Published
2009-05-25
Volume
169
Issue
10
Pages
982
ISSN
0003-9926 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2077178507
Cited by
104
References
29
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 13 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 11 · 2012: 7
FWCI
25.33
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Archives of Internal Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
National Cancer Institute (K23CA125585)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Health Information Management › Electronic Health Records Systems
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Emergency Medical Services › Patient Safety and Medication Errors
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Geriatrics and Gerontology › Pharmaceutical Practices and Patient Outcomes
Keywords
computerized physician order entry, prescribing errors, data inconsistency, structured templates, medication errors, drug dosage errors, inpatient prescriptions, surgical subspecialties, drug safety
MeSH terms
Group Practice, Humans, Medication Errors, Drug Prescriptions, Prospective Studies, Quality Assurance, Health Care, Clinical Pharmacy Information Systems, Medical Order Entry Systems

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