Safe Prescribing

Question 1

define a medication error

Answer 1

A medication error is any preventable event that may cause or lead to inappropriate medication use or patient harm while the medication is in the control of the health care professional, patient, or consumer.

Question 2

which patients are most at risk of medication/system/individual errors?

Answer 2

• those undergoing cardiothoracic surgery, vascular surgery, or neurosurgery
• those with complex conditions
• those in the emergency room
• those looked after by inexperienced doctors
• older patients

Question 3

what are some people related causes of medication incidents?

Answer 3

• fatigue: sleep deprivation
• hunger: long lapses between food and drink
• concentration: lapses
• stress: loss of control/cutting corners
• distraction
• lack of training
• lack of access to information (not timely)
• other factors: e.g. alcohol drugs and illness

Question 4

what are the 5 R’s in prevention of medication errors?

Answer 4

• right patient
• right drug
• right dose
• right route
• right time