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Medication Safety, v3
Error-prone abbreviations
CI 4.1: Medication orders with error-prone abbreviations (L)
Rationale
This indicator addresses the effectiveness of processes that encourage clear and unambiguous
communication and medication orders. One of the major causes of medication errors is the use
of potentially dangerous abbreviations in prescribing.
Numerator
Denominator
Total number of medication orders that include error-prone abbreviations
Total number of medication orders in the sample
Year
Dimensions of care: Accessibility Appropriateness Continuity
Effectiveness Quality Improvement and Risk Safety
Desirable level: Low High Not specified
Type of Indicator: Process Outcome Structure
No.
HCOs
Total
numerator
Total
denominator
Rate #
Rate#
(20)
Rate #
(80)
Centile
Gains
Stratum
Gains
Outlier
Gains
2009 31 3,405 27,749 12.3 1.37 16.6 3,025 1,052
2010 29 2,577 44,483 5.79 0.33 9.31 2,430 1,772 1,185
2011 36 2,750 58,827 4.67 0.54 8.06 2,433 1,072
#per 100 medication orders
In 2011 there were 56 submissions from 36 HCOs. The annual rate was 4.7 per 100 medication
orders.
Variation between strata
There were no significant stratum differences in 2010 and 2011.
Variation between HCOs
In 2011 the potential gains totalled 2,433 fewer medication orders that include error-prone
abbreviations, corresponding to a reduction by approximately four fifths.
Outliers
In 2011 there were 12 outlier submissions from nine HCOs whose combined excess was 1,072
more medication orders that include error-prone abbreviations. The outlier HCO rate was 10.9
per 100 medication orders.
Australasian Clinical Indicator Report 2004–2011 Page 7
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