A systematic literature review of LASA error interventions.

Aims: The aim of this systematic review was to explore and evaluate the efficacy of interventions to reduce the prevalence of look-alike, sound-alike (LASA) medication name errors.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review of the literature, searching PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus and Web of Science up to December 2016, and re-ran the search in February 2020 for later results. We included studies of interventions to reduce LASA errors and included randomized controlled trials, controlled before-and-after studies, and interrupted time series.

The problem of look-alike, sound-alike name errors: Drivers and solutions.

Look-alike or sound-alike (LASA) medication names may be mistaken for each other, e.g. mercaptamine and mercaptopurine.

Patient Safety in Medication Nomenclature: Orthographic and Semantic Properties of International Nonproprietary Names.

Background: Confusion between look-alike and sound-alike (LASA) medication names (such as mercaptamine and mercaptopurine) accounts for up to one in four medication errors, threatening patient safety. Error reduction strategies include computerized physician order entry interventions, and 'Tall Man' lettering. The purpose of this study is to explore the medication name designation process, to elucidate properties that may prime the risk of confusion.