OBJECTIVE: This descriptive study identified and analyzed weak points in the communication process during the prescription, dispensing, and administration of medication in a medical unit and pharmacy of a university hospital. METHODS: The data were collected by direct observations during a period of 21 days, review of 294 prescriptions, and interview of 40 health care professionals. RESULTS: Some prescriptions were incomplete, common use of abbreviations, and health care providers were often interrupted or distracted during prescription. During the dispensing phase, many requisition forms were incomplete or filled out wrongly. And, during the administration of medication, there were errors on transcribed labels for the preparation of medication as well as a lack of proper communication between nurses and patients. CONCLUSION: Communication process in place must be revised to guarantee a quality hospital medication system that provides safe patient care.
Medication errors; Medication systems, hospital; Communication; Nursing; Hospitalization; Risk management