Impact of interruptions and distractions on dispensing errors in an ambulatory care pharmacy.

摘要: A possible association between interruptions and distractions the occurrence of dispensing errors was investigated. Fourteen pharmacists 10 technicians in an ambulatory care pharmacy at a general medical-surgical hospital were tested for distractibility by using group embedded figures test (GEFT) as well visual acuity hearing. They videotaped they filled prescriptions during 23-day period 1992. study investigator compared each prescription with physician's written order, noted details deviations, verified pharmacist any that occurred, asked to correct error if necessary. Interruptions detected characterized reviewing videotapes. None participants had significant hearing or impairment. There GEFT scores rates. total 5072 analyzed, 164 detected, overall rate 3.23%. Wrong label information most common type (80% detected). 2022 (mean +/- S.D. per half hour subject, 2.99 2.70) 2457 3.80 +/-3.17) detected. The sets one more 6.65% which there distractions, 6.55%. both significantly associated errors. In pharmacy, over half-hour errors, majority involved incorrect information.