OBJECTIVES: To assess and describe trends of different prescription error types in Rheumatology Clinics by quarter (April 2016 - September 2017): King Faisal Medical Complex, Taif, Saudi Arabia

METHODS: This study was an observational retrospective study. The study sample consisted of two types (a) A simple randomized sample (5% of the total number of prescriptions from Rheumatology Clinics for each month in the study period from April 2016 through September 2017). This sample include prescription errors that did not cause harm to patients. (b) All prescription errors that were caught, documented, and reported before reach to patients in the study period from April 2016 through September 2017. Descriptive analysis and one-way analysis of variance was performed to compare between the number of prescription error categories.

RESULTS: Wrong Duration had the highest number (n=337) of prescription errors that did not cause harm to patients during the study period. Incomplete Patient Information was the category that had the lowest total number (n=4) of prescription errors that did not cause harm to patients. Strong statistically significant difference was found between the numbers in the categories of prescription errors that did not cause harm to patients (P<0.05). On the other hand, Out of Privileges had the highest number (n=55) of prescription errors that caught before reaching patients while Wrong Frequency had the lowest (n=1). There was strong statistically significant difference between the numbers in the categories of prescription errors caught before reaching patients (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: The total number of prescription errors that did not cause harm to patients was higher than the total number of prescription errors that were caught, documented, and reported before reaching patients. Training programs are recommended for prescribers and Pharmacists to decrease prescription errors in Outpatient Clinics at the hospital.