[Does electronic medicine prescription cause new types of errors?]

The expectations related to the implementation of electronic patient medicine (EPM) modules are high, when it comes to reducing medication errors and increasing security related to the medication process. The literature has focused on the errors which are eliminated when introducing an EPM system; however, less attention has been paid to whether the EPM in itself introduces new types of errors. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether new types of errors may appear as a result of the use of the system.

The study was explorative in nature. It was carried out in an orthopedic surgery ward in a medium-sized Danish hospital. Through observation studies, semi-structured interviews, a focus group interview, and a literature study, we investigated what new types of errors may appear.

We show that the previously observed types of errors can be reduced by using an EPM system. At the same time, however, the study shows the emergence of new types of errors related to the interaction between the doctors and the system.

More focus should be directed to the new types of errors and strategies have to be worked out to prevent them. Some of the errors that we draw attention to in this study can be prevented through e.g. better education of the users and improved user interfaces.