Comparing the variability of ingredient, strength, and dose form information from electronic prescriptions with RxNorm drug product descriptions.

Corey A. Lester; Allen J. Flynn; Vincent D Marshall; Scott Rochowiak; Brigid Rowell; James P. Bagian

Study

Comparing the variability of ingredient, strength, and dose form information from electronic prescriptions with RxNorm drug product descriptions.

August 31, 2022

Lester CA, Flynn AJ, Marshall VD, et al. J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2022;29(9):1471-1479.

View more articles from the same authors.

Although e-prescribing has improved the safety of medication ordering, preventable errors persist. This study analyzed product descriptions (ingredient, strength, dose form) of more than 10 million e-prescriptions. Results show a wide variety in the way drug product descriptions are entered into e-prescription programs (e.g., 707 variants for “oral tablet” such as tablet, tab, po tab). Poor standardization of terminology in e-prescription programs can lead to incorrect medication order and patient confusion.

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See More About The Topic

Hospitals

Information Professionals

Hospital Pharmacy

Ordering/Prescribing Errors

Epidemiology of Errors and Adverse Events

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