The utility of the records medical: factors associated with the medication errors in chronic disease.

The study reviewed existing medical records, so it could not verify what patients actually took or observe care directly. It was done in ten primary care units in one Brazilian municipality, so the medication lists and care patterns may not apply elsewhere. The sample was 396 records from a population of 5190 enrolled patients, so it may not represent all patients. Medication risks were identified from record review and Micromedex predictions, not from patient outcomes, adverse events, or harm. The analysis is observational and cannot show that diabetes, hypertension, or polypharmacy caused medication errors. The authors note that many contributing factors to errors may not have been observed or understood.

Do not read the 67.0% medication risk finding or the reported associations as proof that patients were harmed or that a pharmacist review will reduce errors. The study identified medication error histories and potential interactions in records, not actual adverse outcomes or the effect of an intervention.