Table 1

Definition of the drug administration errors assessed in this survey

Category of medication administration errorDefinition
Tablet dissolutionNot the entire dissolution/suspension was administered, or undissolved tablet fragments were left
Tablet storageTablets stored outside the blister after splitting
Oral liquidsInappropriate administration of oral liquids—for example, remaining liquids once out of the bottle were poured back into the storage bottle after administration of the intended amount to the patient
Tablet splittingInappropriate splitting of tablets according to drug label or splitting of different tablets for different patients without cleaning the tablet splitter
Gastric tubeCombined preparation and administration of drugs via gastric tube that must be administered separately or, when milling tablets, active ingredient was left in the mortar after use
OthersOther errors not predefined, such as the number of administered tablets not kept at a minimum—for example, two tablets, instead of one (double strength) tablet, were administered