Medication Error Category A to I (NCC MERP Index)
The NCC MERP medication error category, A to I, from the algorithm's questions.
Open the tool → Runs in your browser. Data leaves only if you deliberately send a problem report from the interactive tool.
Example
- Did an actual error occur?
- Yes
- Did the error reach the patient?
- Yes
- Did the error contribute to or result in patient death?
- No
- Was the patient harmed?
- No
- Was intervention to preclude harm or extra monitoring required?
- Yes
Result: Category D: An error occurred that reached the patient and required monitoring to confirm that it resulted in no harm
The tool opens with these values already filled in. Replace them with your own.
What you enter
- Did an actual error occur?
- Did the error reach the patient?
- Did the error contribute to or result in patient death?
- Was the patient harmed?
- Was intervention to preclude harm or extra monitoring required?
- Did the error require an intervention necessary to sustain life?
- Was the harm permanent?
- Was the harm temporary?
- Did the error require initial or prolonged hospitalization?
Full field descriptions
- Did the error reach the patient? (An error of omission does reach the patient.)
- Was intervention to preclude harm or extra monitoring required? (if not harmed)
- Did the error require an intervention necessary to sustain life? (if harmed)
- Was the harm permanent? (if life-sustaining intervention was needed)
- Was the harm temporary? (if no life-sustaining intervention was needed)
- Did the error require initial or prolonged hospitalization? (if the harm was temporary)
How this is calculated
Citation
National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention. NCC MERP Index for Categorizing Medication Errors (2022) and its Algorithm (2001). Definitions reproduced unmodified with the copyright notice, as the Index permits. Read the source ↗
A reference and educational tool. Not medical, legal, or financial advice, and not a substitute for clinician judgment.