The Accuracy of Prescriptions Using a Computerized Chemotherapy Order System

항암화학요법 처방전산 시스템에 의한 처방 정확도에 관한 연구

A computerized chemotherapy order system (CCOS) was developed to improve the accuracy and efficiency of prescriptions for pharmacy medication scheduling at a teaching hospital, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. We evaluated the system by comparing prescriptions before and after the implementation of the system and by analyzing the effects of the system on dosing accuracy (only against 5-FU), prescription change, overdoses above maximum limit and medication disposal in non computerized program group (control group) and CCOS group. In terms of dosing accuracy, prescription error rate (%) was significantly decreased in CCOS groups compared with the control group. The rate of prescription changes was also significantly decreased in CCOS groups. Regarding overdoses above maximum limit, we found that there was no prescription order exceeding the dosage limit in CCOS groups in contrast to significant overdoses in control group. In terms of medication disposal, there was no significant difference between 2 groups. We suggest that the computerized chemotherapy order system for chemotherapy may bean important and useful tool for minimizing prescribing errors in the hospitals.