Circumstances or

events that have the NCC MERP Index for

capacity to cause error Categorizing Medication
Errors Algorithm
Harm
NO Impairment of the physical, emotional, or psychological
Did an actual
Category A function or structure of the body and/or pain resulting
error occur?
therefrom.

Monitoring
YES To observe or record relevant physiological or
psychological signs.

Intervention
NO Did the error reach May include change in therapy or active medical/surgical
Category B
the patient? * treatment.

Intervention Necessary to Sustain Life

YES Includes cardiovascular and respiratory support
(e.g., CPR, defibrillation, intubation, etc.)

Did the *An error of omission does reach the patient.

error contribute to or YES
Category I
Category C result in patient
death?

NO
NO

Did the
Was NO error require YES
intervention to NO Category E Category F
Was the patient initial or prolonged
preclude harm or extra
monitoring harmed? hospitalization?
required?

YES
YES YES

Did the
Category D error require an NO Was the harm
intervention necessary temporary?
to sustain life?

YES
NO

Was the harm YES Category G

permanent?

NO

2001 National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting

Category H and Prevention. All Rights Reserved.
* Permission is hereby granted to reproduce information contained herein
provided that such reproduction shall not modify the text and shall include
PSF030G the copyright notice appearing on the pages from which it was copied.