A five-year retrospective assessment of prescription errors and adverse drug events at a regional hospital in Accra, Ghana

Patient safety is a topical issue worldwide. A number of studies have been conducted on drug safety, however, setting-specific data on prescription errors (PEs) and adverse drug events (ADEs) over the course of time is relevant. The aim of this study was to review PEs and ADEs documented at the Ridge Hospital, Ghana. This was a retrospective study that reviewed secondary data on PEs and ADEs from January 2010 – December 2014 at the Ridge Hospital. Information on PEs was obtained from intervention books at the hospital. Data on ADEs were obtained from ADE forms at the Drug Information Unit of the hospital. Data collected did not have information of patients or health professionals. Information on PEs retrieved included inappropriate dosing frequency and drugs contraindicated for patient, among others. Data on ADEs captured was grouped into age, sex, health condition, reporting unit, outcome, etc. Within the period of review; a total of 847,056 prescriptions were documented to have been served and 448 PEs were recorded. Prescriptions with inappropriate dosing frequency were the highest (47.3%) in reviewed records. Out of the 448 PEs, house officers made the highest errors (59.8%). Also, 41 ADEs were recorded within period of review. The Medical Department had the highest (37%) ADEs. Overall, 2 patients died from ADEs. There is the need for prudent screening of prescriptions at pharmacy units of hospitals. Additionally, regular training on prescription writing and ADEs reporting for health practitioners, especially junior doctors, are relevant.