email today - ceejay

did you all read the email today about the med error that killed the patient.  They email us and say while the article doesn't say it is a transcription error.......  Okay, this is a tragedy that a patient died from a med error.  However, seriously, Nuance.  have you ever worked on a hospital unit?  Cuz I have and a bet a lot of MTs have at one point or another.  They don't use our transcribed notes as  med orders. They use the actual med sheet or med order (MAR - medication administration record) in their EHR.  We do not transcribe physician orders or put them on the EHR.  we transcribe their notes.  Two different things.  This type of error lies with the person who either 1) entered the med order incorrectly, 2)didn't bother to verify that the med was correct as it seems to be a med that didn't fit the condition for which it was being administered, or 3)filled the order incorrectly in their pharmacy.  This is not to say we shouldn't be careful when transcribing meds, doses, etc., simply that we know better than to take blame where none is due.