Inaccurate allergy documentation can lead to inappropriate use of certain antimicrobials and other drugs such as opiates.

Inaccurate allergy documentation includes: inconsistent documentation across the history and physical, medication administration record, and adult patient safety assessment sheet; and drug identity not documented, or reaction not documented. Inaccuracies in any of these sources of documentation can lead to a patient receiving alternative therapy that may or may not be appropriate.

Pharmacy Services would like to encourage physicians to verify allergy information in Web/VS for accuracy and completeness when dictating the history and physical. If the physician determines that the allergy information in Web/VS is inaccurate, an order may be written to correct the allergy. When documenting allergies, please include the drug identity and the reaction associated with the allergy. The goal is to ensure that allergy information for each patient is consistent, accurate and complete.