Scanning barcodes may help reduce errors

摘要

Another dispensing error hits the headlines (Mail Online, 4 March 2013). Gliclazide was dispensed instead of prednisolone but, thankfully, the patient did not die. As the Department of Health says in its consultation document "Implementing a 'duty of candour'; a new contractual requirement on providers", "a just culture recognises that competent people make mistakes". However, as professionals, we should all be moving towards minimising those errors.