Audit on inpatient prescription writing guidelines

Abstract

Medication errors are a fairly common occurrence. Drug prescription errors maybe largely preventable. There is a lack of minimum national guidelines for prescriptions. The aim of this study is to see if there is a reduction in prescription errors after introduction of trust guidelines. Data were collected from inpatient drug cards with regard to the trust guidelines on prescription writing and completing the audit cycle after a period of 12 months. A refresher was provided after the initial survey. All cards were scanned on the same day. There was an absence of allergic information in 40% drug cards which improved slightly the second time around. This study indicates that a national prescription writing guidelines should be introduced and adopted.