ANALYSIS OF PRESCRIPTION ERRORS IN SPECIAL PRESCRIPTIONS DISPENSED IN THE OPERATING ROOM AT A LIMA HOSPITAL

Abstract

Introduction: Medication errors, especially prescription errors, represent significant health risks and additional costs. This study at the “San Bartolomé” Hospital seeks to identify and prevent such errors in order to improve patient safety. Objective: To identify prescription errors in special prescriptions dispensed in the operating room of the Hospital Nacional Docente Madre Niño “San Bartolomé” during the first quarter of 2023. Methods: Quantitative, non-experimental and prospective study, whose sample included 251 special prescriptions dispensed in the operating room of the Hospital, randomly selected, a data collection form validated by three experts was used to analyze the existence and type of errors. The data were presented in tables using Microsoft Excel 2019. Results: 93% of prescriptions complied with good prescribing practices, while 7% presented prescription errors, the most common errors were in other data 41%, which included errors in date, legibility and area of care, followed by errors in drug data 35%, errors in patient data 12% and errors in prescriber data 12% which were less frequent. Conclusions: The presence of prescribing errors was identified in special prescriptions dispensed in the operating room during the first quarter of 2023. These errors can cause mild to severe consequences on patients' health, have economic and regulatory implications, therefore, it is essential to implement intrahospital and multidisciplinary interventions to prevent future errors and ensure quality care.