Evaluation of prescription-writing quality in a French university hospital.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the quality of prescription writing at a university hospital in France.

DESIGN/PATIENTS: Each of the 42 medical, surgical, and intensive-care departments were invited to participate in the study. The initial medication orders were reviewed for 866 patients, resulting in 3,254 medications prescribed. One prescription per patient was reviewed for a total of 866 patients, presenting 3,254 medications.

RESULTS

Of the 866 prescriptions reviewed, 95.5% were dated. Patient identification was complete in 35.3%. The prescriber was identified properly by both full name and signature in 7.5% of prescriptions. Medication information was complete in only 24% of cases.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that prescriptions were not written correctly. Results of this study have been disseminated, and education has begun on proper prescription practice.