Development and evaluation of information technology solutions to improve medication use

During the past decade, considerable effort has been directed at reducing medication errors. The impetus for this activity has come from the many studies that have highlighted unacceptably high rates of error in our healthcare systems. This thesis investigates strategies to improve medication use and prevent errors, focusing on the use of information technology. Information technology has great potential to improve many aspects of medication use. A thorough understanding of the medication use pathway is essential to support the safe, effective and efficient introduction of many impending initiatives. Three strategies aimed at improving medication use were implemented and evaluated: a medication safety educational web site; electronic documentation system and decision-support prompt for community pharmacists; and a high-risk medication alert model for the Australian hospital setting.