Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 12, 2026

E-Patient Counseling Trial (E-PACO): Computer Based Education versus Nurse Counseling for Patients to Prepare for Colonoscopy
06:28

E-Patient Counseling Trial (E-PACO): Computer Based Education versus Nurse Counseling for Patients to Prepare for Colonoscopy

Published on: August 1, 2019

Relationship between the use of an electronic commercial prescribing system and medical and medication errors in a

Hiroyuki Furuya1, Tsuyoshi Morimoto, Yoshiaki Ogawa

  • 1Department of Basic Clinical Science and Public Health, Tokai University School of Medicine, 143 Shimokasuya, Isehara, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan. furuya@is.icc.u-tokai.ac.jp

The Tokai Journal of Experimental and Clinical Medicine
|April 9, 2013
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Implementing an electronic prescribing system significantly reduced medical and medication errors in a teaching hospital. While initial implementation requires time for adjustment, sustained use leads to improved patient safety outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Health Informatics
  • Patient Safety
  • Clinical Pharmacy

Background:

  • Medical and medication errors pose significant risks to patient safety.
  • Electronic prescribing systems (EPS) are designed to mitigate these errors.
  • The impact of EPS implementation on error rates requires careful evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the effectiveness of a commercial electronic prescribing system in reducing medical and medication errors.
  • To quantify the changes in error rates before and after EPS implementation.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective before-and-after study design was employed.
  • Data were collected from a teaching hospital setting.
  • U control charts analyzed monthly medical and medication error rates per patient day.

Main Results:

  • A significant reduction in medical error rates was observed post-EPS implementation (p<0.001).
  • Medication error rates also significantly decreased following EPS adoption (p<0.001).
  • Sustained use of the EPS demonstrated a clear downward trend in both error types.

Conclusions:

  • Electronic prescribing systems can lead to substantial reductions in medical and medication errors.
  • A time lag exists between EPS implementation and significant error reduction.
  • Ongoing support and procedural adjustments are crucial for maximizing EPS benefits.

More Related Videos

Improving IV Insulin Administration in a Community Hospital12:08

Improving IV Insulin Administration in a Community Hospital

Published on: June 11, 2012

Related Concept Videos

Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Potential Scenarios01:26

Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Potential Scenarios

Pharmaceutical poisoning can occur through various channels, impacting an estimated 2 million hospitalized patients in the U.S. annually with serious adverse drug responses. These scenarios encompass both therapeutic uses, such as drug toxicity, where even standard dosages can lead to severe central nervous system depression, and non-therapeutic exposures, including accidental ingestion by children, and environmental and occupational exposures.Unintentional poisonings often involve exploratory...
Errors occurring during blood pressure monitoring01:25

Errors occurring during blood pressure monitoring

Blood pressure monitoring is a crucial clinical procedure in diagnosing and managing various cardiovascular conditions. Despite its significance, the accuracy of blood pressure measurements can be compromised by multiple factors, potentially leading to either falsely high or low readings. These inaccuracies are critical as they can significantly impact patient care. So, it is vital to understand these challenges deeply and adopt strategic approaches to minimize errors.
Several factors...
Guidelines and Strategies for Safe Computer Charting01:18

Guidelines and Strategies for Safe Computer Charting

The guidelines and strategies provided by the American Nurses Association (ANA) and the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) offer essential principles for ensuring safe and secure computer charting systems in healthcare settings. Let's break down each recommendation:
Maintain Confidentiality and Security:
Methods of Documentation VII: EMR01:30

Methods of Documentation VII: EMR

Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) primarily center around electronically documenting patients' health information within a single healthcare organization or practice. They contain essential clinical data related to a patient's medical history, diagnoses, medications, treatment plans, lab results, and other pertinent information relevant to the specific encounter or episode of care. EMRs are designed to streamline documentation and workflow processes within individual healthcare settings,...
Documentation of Nursing Diagnosis01:10

Documentation of Nursing Diagnosis

The nurse documents nursing diagnoses and enters them into the patient record. The identified patient's nursing diagnosis is either written out with a plan of care or entered into the electronic health record.
In some settings, data-driven computerized decision support systems are in place, allowing for more accurate nursing diagnoses. The database within one of these systems includes diagnostic labels defining characteristics, activities, and indicators for nursing. A nurse enters assessment...
Pharmacovigilance01:19

Pharmacovigilance

Post-marketing surveillance is a critical component of pharmaceutical regulation, often uncovering unanticipated adverse drug reactions (ADRs) once a drug is widely used over an extended period.
This process, termed pharmacovigilance, aims to detect, evaluate, and minimize harmful effects related to medication use. The data collection for pharmacovigilance depends on spontaneous reporting systems, where healthcare professionals or patients voluntarily report suspected ADRs.
In some cases, there...