Hospital communication about drugs: the effect of language on accuracy.

OBJECTIVE: To review some of the problems associated with the prescription, supply and administration of drugs in a multicultural environment.

METHOD: Staff questionnaire.

RESULTS: Most respondents indicated the information received from the pharmacy was satisfactory, that they had read a recent therapeutic bulletin and that they could describe prescription handwriting as 'clear and reasonable'. There was general difficulty in understanding the meaning of Latin abbreviations and a demonstrated failure to absorb recently circulated information.