Perioperative medication errors in otolaryngology

Abstract

Failure to adhere to safe medication-use practices occurred throughout perioperative care. Improvement in medication documentation, following established safe practices, integration of patient information in prescribing decisions, and use of clinical decision support systems appear necessary to prevent perioperative medication errors in otolaryngology.

Factors Contributing to Perioperative Medication Errors: A Systematic Literature Review

“…The underlying design and environment of the perioperative area lends itself to increased risk of MEs. Five studies indicated that transfers, fragmentation, and change in providers all increased the risk of MEs . An increase in workload also was identified in four studies as a contributor to MEs .…”

“…Five studies indicated that transfers, fragmentation, and change in providers all increased the risk of MEs . An increase in workload also was identified in four studies as a contributor to MEs . However, providers reported workload to be the same with the introduction of technology to label syringes .…”

“…Ten studies addressed the types of errors contributing to perioperative MEs . In the OR, substitution, an incorrect dose, omission, and the wrong medication given accounted for more than 70% of MEs in eight studies .…”

“…After implementing a labeling intervention, Webster et al noted the number of incorrect doses administered decreased from 33.9% to 24%, and substitution became the most common type of error. Wrong route contributed to MEs in eight studies . The least common type of error noted was medication given in the wrong dosage form at 0.9% (N = 668) to 2.0% (N = 626) …”

“…Six studies found that haste, stress, and pressure to proceed were three of the highest human factor contributors associated with errors . Five studies found that distraction also led to an increase in errors .…”