Physicians' prescriptions commonly contain errors, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association. However, the researchers said they believe ePrescribing systems could drastically reduce error rates.

A team of researchers from Cornell University analyzed the prescriptions of 48 physicians practicing in New York and 30 from Massachusetts between 2005 and 2006. All participants of the study used traditional paper prescriptions.

The study revealed that 28 percent of all prescriptions contained at least one error not related to legibility. Rates of illegible prescriptions were even higher. In appropriate abbreviations and inaccurate instructions were among the most common errors.

The high rates of prescribing errors uncovered in the study represent a significant problem, the researchers wrote, but making greater use of ePrescribing technology could go a long way toward addressing these issues and improving patient safety.

"Prescribing errors appear to occur at very high rates among community-based primary care providers," the team wrote. "Further characterizing prescribing errors of community-based providers may inform strategies to improve ambulatory medication safety, especially ePrescribing."