Handwritten prescriptions have historically been a staple of medical observe, however when legibility is poor, they will create misunderstandings, and typically, grave hazard. “There have been actual circumstances by which a affected person took the mistaken remedy or mistaken dose just because the script was illegible,” stated Dr Amit Saraf, director, inner drugs, Jupiter Hospital, Thane.
One such case concerned a 34-year-old man with a throat an infection. His physician prescribed an antibiotic, however the pharmacist misinterpret the observe and allotted a robust steroid as a substitute. “Inside two days, the an infection worsened, and he developed extreme abdomen ache and weak spot. One other physician later admitted he too struggled to learn the unique prescription. The affected person needed to be hospitalised for IV antibiotics earlier than recovering,” recalled Dr Manjusha Agarwal, senior advisor, inner drugs, Gleneagles Hospital Parel, Mumbai.
In one other occasion, a neurosurgeon prescribed azidothymidine (AZT) for HIV prophylaxis after a needle-stick damage. The illegible script led the pharmacist to produce azathioprine, a strong immunosuppressant. “For a month, the neurosurgeon unknowingly took the mistaken drug, developed high-grade fever, and was discovered to have pancytopenia, a poisonous impact of azathioprine. A life-saving prescription turned life-threatening,” stated Dr Kumar.
Even small errors can show harmful. A affected person admitted for peripheral neuropathy was prescribed 0.5 mg alprazolam at night time. The physician wrote “.5 mg” as a substitute of “0.5 mg”. The decimal level was missed, and the affected person was given 5 mg as a substitute. “She was later present in a semi-comatose state from extreme sedation, all attributable to a lacking zero,” Dr Kumar identified.
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These usually are not remoted incidents. They mirror a systemic subject: unclear handwriting can result in deadly drug errors. “Prescriptions are supposed to heal, however when written carelessly, they will typically hurt. Illegible handwriting in medical observe isn’t a trivial matter; it may well result in harmful errors with devastating penalties for sufferers,” described Dr Kumar in an interplay with indianexpress.com.
What do medical doctors need to say? (Picture: Getty Photos/Thinkstock)
Even medical professionals typically misread scripts, delaying therapy or, in uncommon circumstances, injuring sufferers. “A easy mix-up of letters or dosage directions can alter the whole course of therapy,” famous one other doctor who didn’t want to be named.
The judiciary has additionally intervened. The Punjab and Haryana Excessive Court docket not too long ago held {that a} legible prescription is a “elementary proper” since it may be the distinction between life and demise. Dr Dilip Bhanushali, president of the Indian Medical Affiliation (IMA), instructed BBC that whereas poor handwriting is widespread, particularly in overcrowded authorities hospitals, the affiliation has suggested members to observe pointers and write in block letters. “A physician who sees seven sufferers a day can do it, however when you see 70 a day, you’ll be able to’t,” he admitted.
Shifting to digital prescriptions
To counter the dangers, many hospitals are transferring in direction of digital prescribing. “Medical doctors now enter prescriptions into a pc or pill, which generates a typed model. That is frequent in city centres and slowly spreading to smaller clinics as effectively,” defined Dr Saraf.
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The IMA has repeatedly emphasised that prescriptions must be typed or written in block letters. “Typing prescriptions is easy patient-safety hygiene,” stated Dr Karuna Malhotra, aesthetic doctor and cosmetologist, Beauty Pores and skin and Homeo Clinic, New Delhi.
Why typing issues
Typed prescriptions get rid of ambiguity. They make drug names, dosages, and frequencies clear for each pharmacists and sufferers. “This reduces the chance of errors, saves time, builds belief, and creates a trackable digital document for future reference,” Dr Saraf famous.
Incorrect medicines can have excessive results (Picture: Getty Photos/Thinkstock)
“In drugs, readability isn’t non-obligatory; it’s a matter of life and demise,” Dr Kumar reiterated.
How do pharmacists deal with messy handwriting?
Pharmacists usually depend on expertise and context to decipher illegible prescriptions, utilizing the affected person’s prognosis and normal drug selections for the situation to make educated guesses. When unsure, they place clarification calls to the prescriber — a course of that’s frequent and time-consuming — or examine the affected person’s prior remedy historical past to match the doubtless drug. To scale back dangers, pharmacies additionally use tall-man lettering and particular labelling for look-alike or sound-alike medicine, together with barcode scanning, cross-checks, and affected person counselling earlier than handover. Regardless of these safeguards, pharmacists warning that errors are solely a misinterpret away, making it important to go solely to a licensed pharmacy, ideally one really useful by the attending physician, as Dr Karuna Malhotra suggested.
What can sufferers do?
Sufferers, too, play a job in staying protected:
– Double-check prescriptions with the pharmacist.
– Ask questions if handwriting is unclear.
– Request a typed or digital copy every time potential.
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“Utilizing typed prescriptions is a simple and environment friendly means to make sure security, ease of entry, and reliability in therapy,” stated Dr Saraf.
DISCLAIMER: This text relies on info from the general public area and/or the consultants we spoke to. At all times seek the advice of your well being practitioner earlier than beginning any routine.
