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Look-alike/sound-alike names cause thousands of errors

More than 1,400 commonly used medications are involved in errors Linked to medication names that Look alike or sound alike, according to a January 29, 2008, news release from the US Pharmacopeia (USP). The organization's annual MEDMARX data report indicates that 1.4[degrees]/o of these errors resulted in patient harm, including seven errors that may have caused or contributed to patient deaths. The report reveals that each of the top 10 most prescribed medications in the United States is commonly confused with at [east one other medication.

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The USP reviewed more than 26,000 records submitted to the MEDMARX database from the years 2003 to 2006. Data revealed that 1,470 different medications are implicated in errors because of brand or generic names that Looked or sounded alike. From this data, the USP compiled a list of 3,170 pairs of names that took or sound alike; this is nearly double the number of pairs identified in the organization's 2004 report. The addition of this data to trustworthy, decision-support toots will help ensure the accuracy of prescriptions.

The USP is calling on prescribers and pharmacists to include an "indication of use" on prescriptions that explains why the patient is taking the drug (eg, cough, infection, rash). The USP recommends that this piece of information be conveyed to the patient at several points along the health care continuum to help prevent medication errors.

US Pharmacopeia 8th annual MEDMARX report indicates look-alike/sound-alike drugs lead to thousands of medication errors nationwide [news release]. Rockville, MD: US Pharmacopeia; January 29, 2008.

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Look-alike/sound-alike names cause thousands of errors

AORN Journal, April, 2008

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