Therapeutic errors reported to the Victorian poisons information centre - Pilot study

Abstract

Aim: To analyse a sample of therapeutic errors reported to the Victorian Poisons Information Centre. Method: A retrospective series of 102 cases of therapeutic error reported in March 2005 were examined. Data were extracted from the Victorian Poisons Information Centre database. Results: Of the 102 cases of therapeutic error, females (64%) and adults (72%) predominated. Most errors (91%) occurred in patients' homes. 87 (85%) cases did not require medical attention. In 68 (67%) cases, the subject made the error and in almost all (93%) cases the error involved oral drug administration. Most (84%) subjects were asymptomatic at the time of the call. In total, 125 drugs were taken in error and 11..