Ramadanov et al reported risk factors for medication errors that can occur during prehospital care of a patient. The authors are from University Hospital Jena, Friedrich Schiller University, and Marienhaus Hospital Hetzelstift.
Situation: prehospital care provided by an emergency physician
Risk factors for medication errors:
(1) incorrect diagnosis
(2) inexperience of the physician
(3) patient age >= 75 years
(4) nighttime deployment (3 to 6 AM)
Types of errors that may arise:
(1) misuse (inappropriate administration with incorrect dose, incorrect route, etc)
(2) underuse (failure to provide an appropriate drug)
(3) overuse (unnecessary medication)
Additional factors not included in study:
(1) lack of drug availability
(2) lack of patient information (on allergies, renal function, concurrent medications)
(3) comorbidities
