Drug Safety
Nov 25, 2023
Anaesthesia is one of the only specialties where the 7 steps of drug safety (prescription, preparation, dispensing, labelling, administration, documentation, monitoring of clinical effects) are performed in a matter of seconds, often by one person. ⏰
Drug errors are the leading cause of avoidable harm in healthcare, and are estimated to cost US$42 billion globally, every year. There are numerous systems in place that aim to prevent drug errors, and many of these are based on our understanding of human factors. 🤑
Examples include colour-coded drug labels, dedicated connections for different drug routes, specific gas outlet connections, red syringes for muscle relaxants and checking patient allergies at every handover. 💊
Here are 10 steps to reduce drug errors from the Anaeshetic Assistant Starter Course:
1️⃣ ALWAYS Check for allergies when you check the patient in and again during time-out
2️⃣ Draw up drugs in a clean, well-lit workspace
3️⃣ Draw up one drug at a time, and don’t put it down until it is correctly labelled
4️⃣ Avoid interruptions during drug preparation
5️⃣ Always check label for: drug, concentration, expiry before opening
6️⃣ Never bring a patient into theatre before the drugs from the previous case have been discarded
7️⃣ Use colour coded labels where possible
8️⃣ ALWAYS use a red syringe for muscle relaxants
9️⃣ Double check the drug, dose, site of administration and rate with your anaesthetist before you give a drug
🔟 Look out for drug ampoules from new suppliers that look different, and notify your team members when this occurs.
Build knowledge ✅
Improve safety ✅
Ref: Lesson 4, Anaesthetic Assistant Starter Course & https://www.who.int/initiatives/medication-without-harm
