Prescribing errors : taking the human factor into account

Prescribing errors are relatively common and this is a substantial risk for nurse prescribers as it is for their medical colleagues. Many of the reasons behind these errors appear to be related to non-technical skills or human factors, such as: slips in attention, memory lapses, the effects of workload and environment,interruptions, hierarchies and poor communication. Technical knowledge of drugs and good clinical skills are not enough by themselves to prevent prescribing errors. Eliminating avoidable harm to patients is a key priority for all healthcare systems and a greater awareness of human factors by nurse prescribers may help avoid some of the errors. This article will explore prescribing errors from a human factors perspective and aims to encourage debate and discussion among nurse prescribers about this area of prescribing practice