Errores en prescripción y transcripción de medicamentos endovenosos en Servicios Pediátricos, Hospital Dr. Hernán Henríquez Aravena: Temuco, 2008-2009

Abstract

Background: Errors in the prescription and transcription of medications in pediatric services is a source of adverse events that can be prevented. Aim: To determine and compare the frequency of prescription and transcription errors for intravenous drugs in four pediatric services in a regional general hospital. Material and Methods: Cross sectional analysis of a probabilistic sample of 500 prescriptions of intravenous medications. Information was gathered using an instrument from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Results: The detected prescription errors were illegible indications in 20%, lack of dosing indication in 11%, omission of the administration route in 24% and omission of the frequency of administration in 15%. Transcription errors were illegible transcription in 3%, not transcribing all indicated medications in 4% and transcription of medications that were not prescribed in 3%. Twenty one percent of prescriptions and 6% of transcriptions had at least one incorrect action. In the different services studied there was a significant association between the percentage of incorrect prescriptions and transcriptions and between illegible prescriptions and transcriptions. Conclusions: A high percentage of errors in prescription of intravenous medications and their transcriptions, was detected in these services. A better quality of care control is required. (Rev Med Chile 2010; 138: 1524-1529.

Errores de medicación en el Servicio de Medicina de un hospital de alta complejidad

“…Igualmente, en Chile se han realizado estudios en Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI) 17 y en Pediatría 18 , pero dadas las condiciones de complejidad en la atención y los pacientes, sus resultados no pueden ser comparables con los de un Servicio de Medicina de adultos (SM).…”

Relevance and level of application of the management competencies in nursing

“…Given the importance it has, it is expected that professionals obtain a good formation in management; nevertheless, the research conducted accounts for certain weaknesses that must be addressed in this field. Some of these are: lack of a management model that permits ensuring the effectiveness of nursing actions, 5 weaknesses in the planning process, 6 deficiencies in decision making, and resolution of conflicts 7 and deficiencies regarding leadership in general. [8][9][10][11] To accomplish good performance of the management role, it is necessary for nursing professionals to meet a series of competencies.…”

Terapêutica medicamentosa para criança em serviço hospitalar de emergência

“…(1,2) The medication system is characterized by a dynamic activity with five stages (prescription, dispensing, preparation, administration and monitoring) that are interconnected with each other, in order to ensure patient safety. (3,4) In pediatric patients, there is greater vulnerability to failures in medication systems due to the specificity and complexity existing in every age group, susceptible to variations in weight, body surface, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic mechanisms, absorption, metabolization and excretion of drugs. (5,6) It is necessary that nursing professionals have technical and scientific knowledge about the medication system, continuing education in pharmacology and physiology principles, drug administration routes and drug interactions, hence increasing the quality of care and ensuring the safety of patients.…”

“…(5,6) It is necessary that nursing professionals have technical and scientific knowledge about the medication system, continuing education in pharmacology and physiology principles, drug administration routes and drug interactions, hence increasing the quality of care and ensuring the safety of patients. (4) This study aimed to analyze the knowledge of the nursing team about medication therapy.…”