What is the purpose of writing prescribed amounts of medication in both numerals and words?

Writing prescribed amounts of medication in both numerals and words serves primarily to prevent errors in medication dispensing. This practice is essential in ensuring clarity and accuracy. When a medication dosage is written in both formats, it minimizes the risk of misinterpretation that can arise due to illegible handwriting or misunderstandings about numeric values. For example, if a dosage is written simply as “10,” it could be misread as “100” if the handwriting is unclear. By providing the amount in words, such as “ten,” it adds an additional layer of verification that helps to confirm the exact dosage intended by the healthcare provider.

While compliance with legal standards and the enhancement of readability are important factors in medical documentation, the primary focus here is on error prevention. Similarly, while clearly written prescriptions may influence insurance claims processes, that is not the main reason for writing the dosage in both formats. The primary advantage lies in bolstering patient safety by reducing potential medication errors.