Therapeutic errors involving adults in the community setting: Nature, causes and outcomes

Abstract

Objective: To compare the nature of therapeutic errors made by adults in community residential units (CRU) and private homes (Home). Methods: This was an analytical case series of therapeutic errors, involving adults, reported to the Victorian Poisons Information Centre (January 2006 to March 2007). The main outcome measures were the nature, causes and outcomes of the errors and actions taken or recommendations for avoidance. Results: Ninety-seven CRU and 611 Home residents (cases) were enrolled. These groups took 243 (median 2) and 785 (median 1) medications in error, respectively (p<0.001). The medication administrators were predominately staff members (94.8%) and the cases themselves (95...