SCCM Resource Library-Reducing Medication Errors in a Crisis

Pdf Summary

The article from the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) in the Winter 2023 edition of CriticalConnections focuses on crisis management in healthcare, specifically targeting the reduction of medication errors. The key strategies outlined include risk control and system design, as well as the integration of technology to minimize errors. <br /><br />Risk management involves identifying and analyzing risks, proactive prevention, continuous communication, and evaluating effectiveness. System design suggests limiting access to high-alert medications to trained professionals, centralizing error-prone processes such as medication preparation, standardizing procedures, simplifying tasks using pre-prepared products, and establishing forcing functions to prevent administration errors.<br /><br />Incorporating advanced technology efforts, such as barcode scanning and Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE), plays a crucial role in minimizing human errors. Barcode scanning enhances patient safety by ensuring the correct medication is administered, while CPOE reduces transcription errors by standardizing orders entered by clinicians digitally. Smart pump technology further aids error reduction by managing drug concentrations and doses.<br /><br />The article emphasizes the importance of these practices during medication shortages, which exacerbate the risk of errors as staff might be unfamiliar with substitute products. It underscores the necessity for constant communication about drug shortages and the use of technology to mitigate risks.<br /><br />The goal of these systems is to prevent, make visible, and mitigate harm from medication errors. Institutions need to have contingency processes for times when automated systems might be unavailable, ensuring preparedness through staff education in error-reduction strategies.<br /><br />Additionally, the article promotes the 2023 Multidisciplinary Critical Care Knowledge Assessment Program (MCCKAP) as a resource for fellows preparing for critical care subspecialties, offering them the opportunity to assess knowledge strengths and weaknesses online.

Asset Subtitle

Crisis Management, Quality and Patient Safety, 2023, 0:04:35

Asset Caption

"This article was first published in the Winter 2023 issue of Critical Connections.

The Society of Critical Care Medicine’s (SCCM) Drug Shortages and Medication Safety Committee was fortunate to represent SCCM at the Institute for Safe Medication Practices’ (ISMP) two-day workshop in August 2022. One of the workshop’s key themes was that human error can never be eliminated, but well-designed, redundant systems can be created to prevent those errors from reaching patients. In times of crisis or emergency, risk of errors may be heightened, and a proactive approach is essential for error reduction.

Critical Connections, the critical care industry's only magazine, provides information on cutting-edge topics in critical care useful to the entire multiprofessional team."

Meta Tag

Content Type Article

Knowledge Area Crisis Management

Knowledge Area Quality and Patient Safety

Knowledge Level Foundational

Knowledge Level Intermediate

Knowledge Level Advanced

Membership Level Associate

Membership Level Professional

Membership Level Select

Tag Quality and Patient Safety

Tag Crisis Management

Year 2023

Keywords

crisis management

medication errors

risk control

system design

technology integration

barcode scanning

CPOE

smart pump technology

medication shortages

MCCKAP

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