Medication Use Across Transition Points from the Emergency Department: Identifying Factors Associated with Medication Discrepancies

Abstract

BACKGROUND: As patients move across transition points of care, medication discrepancies are likely to occur. In the emergency department (ED), patients are vulnerable to medication discrepancies because they are in an environment in which rapid decisions need to be made under high levels of stress. OBJECTIVE: To identify the patient-, environment-, and medication-related factors involving unexplained medication discrepancies across transition points after ED presentation. METHODS: Using a retrospective chart review design, a stratified, random sampling of data was undertaken over a 12-month period. Information was obtained from an electronic administrative database and medical records as pat..