Anaesthetic medication administration errors are a significant threat to patient safety. In 2002, we began collecting data about the rate and nature of anaesthetic medication errors and implemented a variety of measures to reduce errors” Bowdle et al (2018).
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Anaesthetic medication administration errors are a significant threat to patient safety. In 2002, we began collecting data about the rate and nature of anaesthetic medication errors and implemented a variety of measures to reduce errors.
METHODS: Facilitated self-reporting of errors was carried out in 2002-2003. Subsequently, a medication safety bundle including ‘smart’ infusion pumps were implemented. During 2014 facilitated self-reporting commenced again. A barcode-based medication safety system was then implemented and the facilitated self-reporting was continued through 2015.
RESULTS: During 2002-2003, a total of 11 709 paper forms were returned. There were 73 reports of errors (0.62% of anaesthetics) and 27 reports of intercepted errors (0.23%). During 2014, 14 572 computerised forms were completed. There were 57 reports of errors (0.39%) and 11 reports of intercepted errors (0.075%). Errors associated with medication infusions were reduced in comparison with those recorded in 2002-2003 (P<0.001). The rate of syringe swap error was also reduced (P=0.001). The reduction in error rate between 2002-2003 and 2014 was statistically significant (P=0.0076 and P=0.001 for errors and intercepted errors, respectively). From December 2014 through December 2015, 24 264 computerised forms were completed after implementation of a barcode-based medication safety system. There were 56 reports of errors (0.23%) and six reports of intercepted errors (0.025%). Vial swap errors in 2014-2015 were significantly reduced compared with those in 2014 (P=0.004). The reduction in error rate after implementation of the barcode-based medication safety system was statistically significant (P=0.0045 and P=0.021 for errors and intercepted errors, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Reforms intended to reduce medication errors were associated with substantial improvement.
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Reference:
Bowdle, T.A., Jelacic, S., Nair, B., Togashi, K., Caine, K., Bussey, L., Kruger, C., Grieve, R., Grieve, D., Webster, C.S. and Merry, A.F. (2018) Facilitated self-reported anaesthetic medication errors before and after implementation of a safety bundle and barcode-based safety system. British Journal of Anaesthesia. 121(6), p.1338-1345.
doi: 10.1016/j.bja.2018.09.004.