Pharmacology - preventing error Flashcards
1
Q
What are the 4 most common types of error?
A
Surgical error
Complications from drug treatment
Therapeutic mishap
Diagnostic errors
2
Q
What patients are at risk of error?
A
Those undergoing major surgery ie cardiothoracic
Those with complex conditions
Those in the emergency room
Those looked after by inexperienced doctors
Older patients
3
Q
What are factors that increase risk of medical error?
A
More rapid throughput of patients New drug developments Increasing complexity of medical care Increased specialisation Increased use of medicines generally Sicker and older patients more susceptible to adverse effects
4
Q
What are causes of error related to individual workers?
A
Fatigue Hunger Concentration Stress Distraction Lack of training Lack of information access Alcohol etc
5
Q
Where can drug errors occur?
A
Prescribing
Transcribing
Dispensing
Administering
6
Q
What are common prescription errors?
A
Wrong drug Wrong dose Inappropriate units Illegible prescriptions Failure to take account of drug interactions Wrong route
7
Q
What patient info should be checked before prescribing?
A
Age Weight Renal and hepatic function Concurrent disease Lab results Concurrent medications Allergies Medical/surgical/family history Pregnancy
8
Q
How should 0.5 grams be written on a prescription?
A
500mg
Avoid decimal points where possible
9
Q
What are the 5Rs of preventing medication errors?
A
Right patient Right drug Right dose Right route Right time
