Do computers reduce the number of prescription drug mistakes?

A: Not always. While research has shown that automating the prescription ordering process can cut back on medication errors, mistakes still happen because a staff member failed to check the information on the order.

A mistake can happen at the pharmacy computer when:

• A pharmacy technician fails to verify the prescription. Staff members may assume that information on a screen is automatically correct. However, technicians are required to check digital prescriptions against written ones to catch dangerous medication errors before they happen.
• Pharmacist does not confirm medication. Pharmacy software programs often show a picture of the medication so the staff member filling the order can be sure he has given the patient the correct drug. This simple skipped step can lead to a serious error.
• A technician misfiles the patient orders. After the label is printed, a staff member must correctly file the order by the patient’s last name. Medication errors often happen when two patients with the same name share a pharmacy, or if the technician does not read a patient’s name correctly.