Evaluation of color-coded drug labeling to identify endovenous medicines

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the opinion of nursing professionals on the design, practicality of use and the usefulness of color-coded drug labeling in a pediatric intensive care unit. Methods: A cross-sectional study with 42 nursing professionals. A structured questionnaire was used based on a five-level Likert scale. To assess the proportions, a binomial test was used. Results: Concordance ratio >0.8 for all propositions related to design, practicality and most of the propositions related to error prevention. Conclusion: According to the opinion of the nursing team, the implemented technology has an adequate design, as well as being practical and useful in the prevention of medication errors in the population at the ICU.

Labelling of intravenous drug delivery devices in critically ill patients: A scoping review

“…Regarding error prevention, L1, 21 L3, 22 L4, 11 L8, 25 L9, 26 and L12 29 showed that the use of colour‐coded and printed labels with a standardized design enabled safer and timelier drug administration by health professionals, usually nurses or anaesthesiologists. There was a discrepancy in the use of colours applied to pharmaceutical grades on the labels according to hospital policies, a factor that can lead to error as a result of the false sense of security promoted by the use of colour.…”

“…This is illustrated in the documents L3 22 and L5, 23 which used different colour coding from that shown in documents L1, 21 L4, 11 L7, 25 L9, 27 L12, 29 L13, 30 L14, 31 L16, 33 L18, 35 L20, 37 and L21, 19 which used the colours specified in ISO 26825. Studies on colour labelling have emphasized the need for mandatory reading of labels, regardless of the use of colour, to avoid errors among intraclass drugs.…”

“…The variation in labelling practices or policies across different regions and their establishment by individual hospital institutions or health care professionals can impact how medications are identified on their devices. Consequently, this may lead to a lack of critical information for patient safety or hinder the adherence of the medical staff to standardized labelling practices 11,12 …”

“…Consequently, this may lead to a lack of critical information for patient safety or hinder the adherence of the medical staff to standardized labelling practices. 11,12 In light of the above, the question was: How has IV drug delivery device labelling been approached to prevent medication errors in care scenarios involving hospitalized critical patients?…”

Estandarización del etiquetado de las jeringas de medicación como medida de seguridad intraoperatoria en la atención al paciente quirúrgico

“…Estandarización del etiquetado de las jeringas de medicación como medida de seguridad intraoperatoria en la atención al paciente quirúrgico desarrollados en unidades de cuidados intensivos los profesionales ya identificaron el sistema de etiquetado de medicación con etiquetas de colores como un sistema práctico y útil en la prevención de errores de medicación 116,117 .…”