Report finds fault with automated dispensing devices

The United States Pharmacopeia (USP), a nonprofit, nongovernmental, standard-setting organization, reports that nearly 20% of medication errors recorded in its database involved computerization or automation. The December 20th report states that 9,000 hospital and health system errors reported to USP in 2003 involved automated dispensing devices. However, USP also states that "facilities that have implemented computerized prescriber order entry reported fewer errors."
This data is part of the organization's annual report that summarizes the information collected through MEDMARX-a national medication error reporting system operated by USP. The report can be purchased by going to  http://store.usp.org .