Abstract
Purpose: To create a consensus on definition and scenarios of prescribing errors in Saudi Arabia hospital practice.
Methods: A two-round Delphi technique was used to reach a consensus on a definition and 42 scenarios of prescribing errors. Thirty-five evaluators (healthcare professionals) were asked to indicate the extent to which they agree or disagree with the definition and scenarios of prescribing errors in a score of 1 ("total disagreement") to 9 ("total agreement") and were given a space to comment or modify the content of the survey.
Results: The study tool was initially given to 35 evaluators of whom 31 (88.6 %) responded in the first round. In the second round only 24 (77.4 %) evaluators responded. A consensus was reached to accept the definition of prescribing error modified from a previous study conducted in the UK. Regarding the types of prescribing errors, a consensus was reached to include 34 scenarios, to exclude 5 scenarios and to include 3 scenarios depending on the individual clinical situation.
Conclusion: The evaluators agreed to the definition of prescribing errors developed in the United Kingdom (UK) with minor modifications. However, some types of prescribing errors might be considered as errors in Saudi Arabia but not in the UK and vice versa. It is anticipated that this definition could be utilized in future studies, particularly in Saudi Arabia, and act as a guide for future research on prescribing errors.