Development and use of the critical incident technique in evaluating causes of dispensing incidents

James, K. Lynette, Barlow, David, Hiom, Sarah, Roberts, Dave and Whittlesea, Cate 2008. Development and use of the critical incident technique in evaluating causes of dispensing incidents. International Journal of Pharmacy Practice 16 (4) , pp. 239-249. 10.1211/ijpp.16.4.0006

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Abstract

Aims and objectives The study aimed to evaluate the causes of prevented dispensing incidents reported by hospitals using the critical incident technique developed by key‐informant interviews, focus group and observation. Setting All Welsh NHS hospitals (n = 20) were invited to participate in the study. Sixteen hospitals agreed to take part; 10 hospitals reported incidents, four hospitals did not report any incidents and two hospitals withdrew from the study. Method In June 2005 three key‐informant interviews and a focus group were conducted to determine dispensary workflow, which was then validated by a piloted non‐participant observational study at three Welsh hospitals. Self‐reported critical incident forms were then developed to collect dispensing‐incident data involving drugs at high risk of dispensing incidents. Sixteen Welsh hospitals participated in the 4‐month study (January‐August 2006). Key findings Dispensary workflow encompassed the following events: prescription receipt, validating patient information, log of prescription, technical check, clinical check, label generation, stock selection, medicines assembly, product labelling, completion of registers, self‐checking/endorsing and final accuracy check. Twenty‐four incidents were reported by 10 hospitals involving paediatrics (n = 9, 38%), morphine sulphate (n = 5, 21%), insulin (n = 5, 21%), angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors (n = 3, 13%) and nifedipine (n = 2, 8%). Incidents commonly occurred at label generation (n = 9, 43%) and stock selection (n = 9, 43%), caused by error‐producing conditions, active and latent failures. Active failures involved dispensing the wrong quantity of medication, interchanging different formulations, and computer and stock‐selection errors. Error‐producing conditions were reported as high workload, complex prescriptions and interruptions. Latent conditions were inadequate staffing/ skill mix, unclear drug computer selection lists and the storage of drugs on dispensary shelves. Conclusion The critical incident technique provided an in‐depth understanding of the causes of dispensing incidents. Dispensing incidents arose because of organisational pathologies, error producing conditions and active failures such as inadequate staffing, high workload, interruptions, and computer and drug‐selection errors.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Pharmacy
Publisher:	Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain
ISSN:	0961-7671
Date of Acceptance:	31 January 2008
Last Modified:	23 Jun 2020 15:38
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/132655

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