Confusion over the similarity of drug names accounts for approximately 25% of all reports to the USP Medication Errors Reporting Program, according to the National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention (NCCMERP). The mission of the NCCMERP is to maximize the safe use of medications and to increase awareness of medication errors through open communication, increased reporting and promotion of medication error prevention strategies.
Too many times the ordering physician’s verbal or written orders for medications are confusing or unclear. The result, when well-intentioned nurses provide the wrong medication or wrong dosage to the patient can be deadly.
Read the Council’s recommendations for reducing medication errors.