Prescribing Errors Flashcards
What is defined as a medication error?
Preventable event that may cause inappropriate medication use or patient harm.
What are the four most common type of drug groups associated with preventable drug-related hospital admissions?
Anti-platelets
diuretics
NSAIDS
anticoagulants
When are health care professionals most likely to make medication errors?
Inexperience
inattentive
rushed
distracted
tired
depressed
orthopaedic surgeons
work in paediatrics
ICU
with elderly people
lack of knowledge
How can medication errors arise?
Medication omitted
incomplete prescription
incorrect dose
incorrect frequency
incorrect transcription of new blood chart
Which patients are more likely to receive a medication error?
Patients in a variety of drugs
multiple co-morbidities
require multiple specialists and care settings
require high risk medications
very old/young patients
What two processes result in prescribing errors?
Prescription decision/writing
less chance of drug being timely and effective
More chance of harm
What is the difference between a prescribing error and fault?
Fault - Poor choice in which drug to use and how
Error - Poor prescription writing process, wrong instructions
Give examples of prescribing errors
Wrong patient
Abbreviation
Missing instructions
Omission of signature
Incorrect drug
Illegible
Give examples of prescribing faults
Duplication
Allergy
Drug-drug interaction
What errors are defined as mistakes?
Errors that arise from poor planning or inadequate knowledge
What errors are defined as slips?
imperfect execution of well-formulated plan
What errors are defined as lapses?
correct act is omitted
Which tasks are more prone to error?
Tasks unfamiliar to operator, performed under pressure, require calculations
Where can errors in decision making arise?
Knowledge of medication and allergy is poor
Knowledge of drug drug interactions is poor
What are the types of drug drug interactions?
Pharmacokinetic
ADME
Pharmacodynamic
Synergistic
Antagonistic
Describe risk management
Prioritising risk based on hazard
