The Physician’s Contribution to Hospital Medication Errors

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Abstract
The physician's role in creating drug hazards in the hospital has been virtually ignored in the United States. This paper shows that the physician contributes a significant number and variety of situations which lead the nurse and other health professionals into making drug related errors. Samples of questionable drug orders were collected and classified into categories which included (1) incorrect nomenclature, (2) inappropriate dosage, (3) incorrect route or imspecified route of administration, (4) inappropriate delegation of authority, (5) illegible written orders, and (6) confusing oral orders. Examples of each of the categories are provided and the significance or potential dangers are discussed. Methods of averting physician induced errors are presented and include greater utilization of patient profiles, unit dose distribution systems and clinical pharmacy programs. A plea is made for improved imdergraduate medical education in drug order writing and for greater involvement of the pharmacy and therapeutics committee in drug safety and medication error prevention. A list of suggested rules for drug order writing is presented.

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