Are Medication Orders in Fictional Medical-themed Television Shows Accurate? A Retrospective, Observational Study
Journal Title: Journal of Advances in Medicine and Medical Research - Year 2016, Vol 17, Issue 10
Abstract
Objective: To determine the degree of accuracy of medication orders in fictional medical-themed television shows. Design: Retrospective, observational, study Setting: A review of available US fictional medical-themed television shows identified via an Internet Movie Database search of shows originally airing from September 1989 to May 2014. Participants: 4,854 medication orders from 33 unique fictional, medical-themed television shows Primary Outcome Measures: Percentage of accurate medication orders; type of medication order and error, if applicable. Results: The analysis revealed that 88.1% of medication orders were accurate with an average of 2.06 medication orders per episode. Orders from five shows were 100% accurate. The most common categories of drugs prescribed were antidysrhythmics/vasopressors/ACLS agents (21.6%), anti-infectives (14.9%), and analgesics/antipyretics (12.5%). The medications coincide with the most common medication indication categories seen: trauma, cardiovascular, and infectious diseases. The most common reason for inaccuracy was incorrect dose, representing 44.6% of errors; followed by inappropriate indication (43%). Medication orders prescribed in children (<18 years), using generic names, for acute cardiovascular indications, and given intravenous route were significantly more common among inaccurate orders. Conclusions: The information in verbal medical orders provided, while incomplete, contains accurate information, with final analysis of the medication orders from fictional medical-themed television shows demonstrating overall accuracy. Evaluation was limited however as many verbal orders were incomplete with no dose given or lack of detailed indication.
Authors and Affiliations
Alexas O. Polk, Sarah E. DeMott, Phillip L. Mohorn, Amy J. Yanicak, Meagan C. Miles, Gabrielle L. Furgiuele, Monica R. Litsas, Kristen G. Scott, Andrew W. Sides, P. Brandon Bookstaver
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP341930
- DOI 10.9734/BJMMR/2016/28408
- Views 52
- Downloads 0
A Case of Drastic Improvement in a 43 Year Old Male with Severe Refractory Incapacitating Vertigo
Introduction: Vertigo is a common and distressing complaint seen in primary care. It can be due to central or peripheral causes, which should be determined right at the outset. In some cases, the vertigo is transient and...
Estradiol and/or Ibandronate Therapy Ameliorates Oxidative Status in Livers of Ovariectomized Rats
Background: Overiectomized rats suffer from osteoporosis that mainly results from oxidative stress (OS). Studies revealed that the levels of antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase...
Simple Interrupted vs. Continuous Suturing in Abdominal Fascia Closure – A Thermographic Analysis in Rabbits
Aims: Thermography is an accepted method in different medical fields to detect and to visualize differences in the blood supply of tissue while following their temperature distribution. In this study, we compare the temp...
Open Reduction with Internal Fixation of Proximal Humeral Fractures with Plates: Results of 20 Operated Patients
Introduction: This study evaluates the functional and radiological results of surgical treatment with plate and screws of proximal humeral fractures focusing on short and long-term complications. Materials and Methods: T...
The Family Influence on the Gestational Age at Booking among Pregnant Women in Ogbomoso, Nigeria
Introduction: Family plays an important role in health seeking behaviour and education of its members. Educating an individual especially a girl child usually results in improvements in the quality of life because women...