Preventable adverse drug events: descriptive epidemiology.
This retrospective review conducted at four Canadian acute care hospitals describes preventable adverse drug events occurring in patients presenting to the emergency department. Preventable adverse drug events commonly involved anticoagulants, diuretics, insulin, and aspirin, and disproportionally affected patients with diabetes or mental health diagnoses. The study found that poor communication, lack of patient education, non-adherence, and inadequate monitoring were common contributing factors to preventable adverse drug events.