Table 3

Number and burden of transition medication errors and estimated reduction for different effect sizes following implementation of an interoperable prescription information system

AdmissionIntrahospital transitionInterhospital transitionDischargeTotal
Number of transition medication errors
Preimplementation946 48750 28521 647807 6941 826 113
10% fewer errors94 6495029216580 769182 611
30% fewer errors283 94615 0866494242 308547 834
50% fewer errors473 24325 14310 824403 847913 057
Number of patients episodes with harm from a transition medication error
Preimplementation16 34886937414 01331 604
10% fewer errors1635873714013160
30% fewer errors490426111242049481
50% fewer errors8174434187700715 802
Excess bed days due to transition medication errors
Preimplementation17 65393840417 70936 704
10% fewer errors1765944017713670
30% fewer errors5296282121531311 011
50% fewer errors8826469202885518 352
NHS cost of excess bed days due to transition medication errors
Preimplementation£6 560 165£348 717£150 039£10 704 318£17 763 238
10% fewer errors£656 016£34 872£15 004£1 049 196£1 755 088
30% fewer errors£1 968 049£104 615£45 012£3 147 589£5 265 265
50% fewer errors£3 280 082£174 358£75 019£5 245 981£8 775 442
Deaths due to transition medication errors
Preimplementation30211245
10% fewer errors30014
30% fewer errors900413
50% fewer errors1510622
  • NHS, National Health Service.