Validating a Classification Scheme for Medication Errors to be Used in Chemotherapy

Abstract

Objective

To validate a classification sheet for medication errors associated with antineoplastic medication.

Method

Prospective study. A data sheet was designed based on ASHP's classification. Two observers reviewed the treatment prescribed for chemotherapy from the Haematology Department during a month and they classified the errors detected. The interobserver concordance was analysed using the kappa index test. The error categories with a moderate or lower concordance were reviewed, and the need to modify them was evaluated.

Results

A total of 23 error categories were analysed and 162 lines of treatment were reviewed. Only one of the categories was assessable in accordance with its error prevalence, which was the category for incomplete or ambiguous prescriptions (kappa index = 0.458 = moderate concordance). The causes were analysed and subsections within this category itemised.

Conclusion

Our results proved the need to review error classification. Validated tools need to be made available so as to make progress in characterising this type of medication error.