U.K. Medication Error and ADE Study_Version 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An evaluation of the impact of an Electronic Prescribing System in one U.K. Hospital Trust
IRAS ID
141106
Contact name
Sarah Patricia Slight
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 11 months, 1 days
Research summary
Health Information Technology (Health IT) has the potential to improve the quality and safety of health care, as well as reduce costs. The introduction of an electronic prescribing system can increase the likelihood of catching and preventing medication-related errors. These systems can eliminate illegible orders, provide dosing suggestions to the doctor, and assist with calculations and monitoring. However, concerns about harm from the use of these systems have also emerged. One study showed how the use of the system could promote medication error risks in addition to reducing them. Examples included fragmented computer screen displays that prevented a coherent view of patients’ medications.
Reducing the risks of preventable harm is a key issue for the NHS. This study aims: (1) to measure the impact of an electronic prescribing system on medication errors and adverse drug events in one UK NHS Hospital Trust, and (2) to explore users’ experiences of the different design features of the electronic prescribing system. This study will be performed at Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. A combination of different methods will be used to gather data across three service areas: general paediatric services, renal services and general adult medical and surgical services. We will measure the rate of medication errors over time. We will also collect data on actual and potential adverse drug events. We will also observe staff using the system and ask them to tell us how the design features of the system could be improved.
REC name
North East - Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/NE/0072
Date of REC Opinion
31 Mar 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion