Abstract

Preliminary evidence from observational and cohort studies suggests that replacement of paper- and phone-based medication prescriptions with electronic prescribing systems in ambulatory settings is associated with decreased medication errors. However, problems from traditional prescribing also occur with e-prescribing (such as incorrect medication dose and instructions or wrong patient), as do some new problems (a confusing user interface leading to prescribing the wrong medication). The authors present four steps for reducing medication errors in outpatient psychiatric settings: continuing to implement e-prescribing, streamlining user interfaces, improving interoperability among various e-prescribing and retail pharmacy systems, and using education and advocacy to achieve these goals.