DEFINING PRESCRIBING ERRORS IN GENERAL PRACTICE FOR THE HOSPITALS IN PAKISTAN

Prescribing Errors in General Practice

Abstract

Objectives: To reach consensus on a definition of prescribing errors and different scenarios representing prescribing error situations in general practice by a Pakistani panel of expert judges. Later this definition and scenarios will be used for evaluating prescribing practices in hospitals.
Study Design: The study was designed to be conducted in a Two-Round Delphi Technique though a questionnaire to be delivered hand-by-hand to each member of the panel.
Place and Duration of study: This was a prospective at various of judges hospitals study conducted in Lahore and Bahawalpur from May 2006 to July 2006.
Material and Methods: A questionnaire in a two-round Delphi technique was followed to gauge consensus on a definition and 46 scenarios proposed to be representing prescribing error situations.
Results: Consensus was reached to agree upon a definition of prescribing errors, 33 (71.7%) scenarios were considered prescribing errors, 8 (17.4%) scenarios were excluded and 5 (10.9%) were partially agreed upon to be considered depending on the individual situation.
Conclusion: The Pakistani panel of expert judges agreed upon the definition and scenarios to be considered prescribing errors. The definition and scenarios can also be used for future research on prescribing errors in Pakistani hospitals.