Description

Identification of what was incorrect about the prescribed and dispensed (or potentially dispensed) medication involved in event.

On-Screen Instructions

Field Type

Responses

All were correct

The intended strength or concentration, dose, dosage form, route, label, directions, and quantity match the actual strength or concentration, dose, dosage form, route, label, directions, and quantity dispensed to the patient.

Strength or concentration

The amount of drug in the dosage form or a unit of the dosage form.

Examples

• 250 mg/5 mL suspension instead of a 250 mg/1 mL suspension

• 50 mg tablet dispensed instead of a 25 mg tablet

Dose

The amount of drug taken within any one time period.

Examples

• Two tablets taken instead of one tablet as prescribed

• One tablet taken once a day instead of twice a day

Dosage form

The physical form of a dose of medication.

Example

• Extended- or sustained-release medication instead of immediate-release

Route

The method by which a drug enters the patient.

Example

• An intramuscular medication given intravenously

Quantity (includes amount and size)

The number, amount or size of the medication dispensed to the patient.

Example

• 100 tablets dispensed instead of 10

Label

The printed information placed on the medication container by the pharmacy that contains required information regarding medication, dose, prescriber, etc.

Example

• Incorrect patient name

• Incorrect directions

Brand or generic substitution

A brand substitution is when brand of a medication other than the brand prescribed was dispensed.

A generic substitution is when a brand name medication is prescribed and a generic medication is dispensed, or when a generic medication is prescribed and a different generic is dispensed.

Guide for Use

History