COMMON ERRORS IN PRESCRIPTION WRITING

Omissions

(a)DAW (Dispense as Written)

(b)Refill quantity

(c)          Dosage form

(d)Length of therapy/quantity

(e)Patient allergies

(f)           Date

(g)Route

(h)Signature

(i)            DEA number

Dose or Directions

(a)Dose significantly different from normal standards

(b)Error in dose

(c) Prescriptions for unavailable dosage forms/strengths

(d)Misleading, incompatible or confusing direction

(e)Take as directed

(f)  PRN direction or refills

(g)Unclear dose based on a conc.

(h)Sustained release dosage forms

Legal requirements

(a)Omission of DEA number

(b)Omission of patient’s address

(c) Prescription refills for C-IIs

(d)Partial filling of C-IIs

(e)Generic prescribing for unavailable or inappropriate prescriptions

Quantity

(a)Unclear amount

(b)Odd amount

(c) Prescription for an amount that does not exist

Duration of Therapy

(a)Prescriptions for a duration that is substantially different from normal standards

(b)Not specified