Discrepancies in drug allergies record in the computerised prescription order entry system

Background Modules detection and warning of drug allergies is one of the brackets for the prescription offered by prescription order entry systems (CPOE). This tool is an important aid in order to prevent potentially medication errors. However, there aren9t studies that analyse the proper use of these modules by the physicians. Purpose To quantify and analyse the discrepancies drug allergy registered in CPOE and in admission and discharge patients records. Materials and methods On day cross-sectional study in a hospital with 1000 beds. The CPOE provides register patient allergies and which will be saved in the pharmacotherapeutic profile for future admission. Allergies can be inserted and updated in the system by physicians. The pharmacist compared the allergy registered in the discharge and admission records of all hospitalised patients with the information included in CPOE. The number and type of discrepancies in the drug allergy record was analysed. Results A total of 803 hospital admissions were reviewed. 11.98% (67) of patients records hadn9t any information regarding to history of drug allergies. 13.7% (101) from the 736 remaining patients had allergies to some medication. 127 discrepancies were found that affected to 85% (86) of patients with drug allergies. 81.9% (104) of discrepancies were due to allergies collected in medical record but not registered in the CPOE, 10.2% (13) was included in the CPOE but not in the medical record and 7.9% (10) were incorrectly registered in the CPOE. The main drug groups involved in the discrepancies were: allergy to betalactams (25.2%), Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (7.8%) and sulfonamides (7.1%). Conclusions Discrepancies were found in 85% of patients with drug allergies, mainly affecting the betalactam group.