Technology Utilization to Prevent Medication Errors

Authors: Forni, Allison; Chu, Hanh T.; Fanikos, John

Source: Current Drug Safety, Volume 5, Number 1, January 2010 , pp. 13-18(6)

Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers

Buy & download fulltext article:

Price: $62.88 plus tax (Refund Policy)

Abstract:

Medication errors have been increasingly recognized as a major cause of iatrogenic illness and system-wide improvements have been the focus of prevention efforts. Critically ill patients are particularly vulnerable to injury resulting from medication errors because of the severity of illness, need for high risk medications with a narrow therapeutic index and frequent use of intravenous infusions. Health information technology has been identified as a method to reduce medication errors as well as improve the efficiency and quality of care; however, few studies regarding the impact of health information technology have focused on patients in the intensive care unit. Computerized physician order entry and clinical decision support systems can play a crucial role in decreasing errors in the ordering stage of the medication use process through improving the completeness and legibility of orders, alerting physicians to medication allergies and drug interactions and providing a means for standardization of practice. Electronic surveillance, reminders and alerts identify patients susceptible to an adverse event, communicate critical changes in a patient's condition, and facilitate timely and appropriate treatment. Bar code technology, intravenous infusion safety systems, and electronic medication administration records can target prevention of errors in medication dispensing and administration where other technologies would not be able to intercept a preventable adverse event. Systems integration and compliance are vital components in the implementation of health information technology and achievement of a safe medication use process.

Keywords: Technology; intensive care unit; patient safety; medication

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157488610789869193

Publication date: 2010-01-01

More about this publication?

Current Drug Safety publishes frontier reviews on all the latest advances on drug safety. The journal's aim is to publish the highest quality review articles in the field. Topics covered include: adverse effects of individual drugs and drug classes, management of adverse effects, pharmacovigilance and pharmacoepidemiology of new and existing drugs, post-marketing surveillance. The journal is essential reading for all researchers and clinicians involved in drug safety.

Technology Utilization to Prevent Medication Errors

Buy & download fulltext article:

Tools

Key

Text size:

Useful pages