Educational targets to reduce medication errors by general surgery residents.
In this retrospective cohort study, researchers analyzed 571,811 medication orders placed by 169 general surgery residents over approximately 6.5 years. Pharmacist intervention was required for 4.2% of orders, and about 67% of these represented either duplicate therapies or incorrect renal dosing. They found a higher odds of error in the intensive care unit and early in the academic year. The authors conclude that their findings represent potential targets for educational interventions aimed at reducing medication ordering errors among trainees.