| Category | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| A | No error, capacity to cause error | NA |
| B | Error that did not reach the patient | NA |
| C | Error that reached patient but unlikely to cause harm (omissions considered to reach patient) | Multivitamin was not ordered on admission |
| D | Error that reached the patient and could have necessitated monitoring and/or intervention to preclude harm | Regular release metoprolol was ordered for patient instead of extended-release |
| E | Error that could have caused temporary harm | Blood pressure medication was inadvertently omitted from the orders |
| F | Error that could have caused temporary harm requiring initial or prolonged hospitalization | Anticoagulant, such as warfarin, was ordered daily when the patient takes it every other day |
| G | Error that could have resulted in permanent harm | Immunosuppressant medication was unintentionally ordered at one-fourth the dose |
| H | Error that could have necessitated intervention to sustain life | Anticonvulsant therapy was inadvertently omitted |
| I | Error that could have resulted in death | Beta-blocker was not reordered post-operatively |
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Medications at Transitions and Clinical Handoffs (MATCH) Toolkit for Medication Reconciliation
Table 6: Categories of Medication Error Classification
Table of Contents
- Medications at Transitions and Clinical Handoffs (MATCH) Toolkit for Medication Reconciliation
- Introduction
- Chapter 1. Building the Project Foundation: Gaining Leadership Support Within the Organization
- Chapter 2. Building the Project Foundation: Project Teams and Scope
- Chapter 3. Developing Change: Designing the Medication Reconciliation Process
- Chapter 4. Developing and Pilot Testing Change: Implementing the Medication Reconciliation Process
- Chapter 5. Education and Training
- Chapter 6. Assessment and Process Evaluation
- Chapter 7. High-Risk Situations for Medication Reconciliation
- Conclusion
- References
- Appendix: The MATCH Work Plan
Publication: 11(12)-0059
Page last reviewed August 2012
Page originally created August 2012
Internet Citation: Table 6: Categories of Medication Error Classification. Content last reviewed August 2012. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD.
https://www.ahrq.gov/patient-safety/settings/hospital/match/table-6.html
