@article{8937,
  author = {Heather M. Young and Shelly L. Gray and Wayne C. McCormick and Suzanne K. Sikma and Susan Reinhard and Linda Johnson Trippett and Carol Christlieb and Tiffany Allen},
  title = {Types, prevalence, and potential clinical significance of medication administration errors in assisted living.},
  abstract = {<p><b>OBJECTIVES: </b>To describe the types and potential clinical significance of medication administration errors in assisted living (AL).</p><p><b>DESIGN: </b>Cross-sectional observational study.</p><p><b>SETTING: </b>This study was conducted in 12 AL settings in three states (Oregon, Washington, and New Jersey).</p><p><b>PARTICIPANTS: </b>Participants included 29 unlicensed assistive personnel and 510 AL residents.</p><p><b>MEASUREMENTS: </b>Medication administration observations, chart review, and determination of rates, types, and potential clinical significance of errors using standardized methodology.</p><p><b>RESULTS: </b>Of 4,866 observations, 1,373 errors were observed (28.2% error rate). Of these, 70.8% were wrong time, 12.9% wrong dose, 11.1% omitted dose, 3.5% extra dose, 1.5% unauthorized drug, and 0.2% wrong drug. Excluding wrong time, the overall error rate dropped to 8.2%. Of the 1,373 errors, three were rated as having potential clinical significance.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION: </b>A high number of daily medications are given in AL. Wrong time accounted for the majority of the errors. The bulk of the medications are low risk and routine; to promote optimal care delivery, clinicians need to focus on high-risk medications and residents with complex health problems.</p>},
  year = {2008},
  journal = {J Am Geriatr Soc},
  volume = {56},
  pages = {1199-205},
  month = {07/2008},
  issn = {1532-5415},
  doi = {10.1111/j.1532-5415.2008.01754.x},
  language = {eng},
}