United Press International (Apr 13, 12:05 AM) U.S. researchers said computerized prescription systems decrease medication error, but they may not decrease patient harm due to medication errors.
A study conducted by Northwestern Memorial Hospital researchers said although the computerized system has the potential to prevent errors from reaching patients, they may not actually decrease harm to patients.
A better approach, according to the researchers, may be a combination of pharmacist involvement and the computerized system, with significant clinical decision support, is probably the best approach to improve medication safety among hospital patients.
It also is important to develop accurate medication histories for each admission, they said.
