Infants are highly vulnerable to medication errors that result from factors such as severe illnesses, prematurity, system malfunction, insufficient knowledge, and long periods of hospitalization. Several methods are used to prevent and avoid medication errors in infants. This literature review will explore 4 peer-reviewed resources to summarize the findings of each article regarding the methods used to avoid and prevent medication errors in infants. The topic is relevant because many infants die or suffer life-threatening consequences due to errors in medication that can be avoided.
According to Lemoine and Hurst (2012), the use of smart pumps is an effective way of reducing medication errors in the neonatal intensive care unit. Safety pumps reduce medication errors by providing safety measures that are applied before administering medication to infants (Lemoine & Hurst, 2012). They provide clinical decision support through the use of dose error software that contains extensive information regarding the right dosage for various patient populations. Additionally, the software contains libraries that provide information regarding safe dosage, infusion rates, and dilution factors that are recommended for various drugs (Lemoine & Hurst, 2012). They compute dosage calculations and give the rates and volumes of drug administration thus reducing the probability of medication errors occurring (Lemoine & Hurst, 2012).
Another method used in the reduction of medication errors is the use of bar-code-assisted medication administration (BCMA) systems. A research study conducted by Morriss et al (2011) found out that patients who were treated after the installation of a BCMA system experienced lower instances of medication errors than patients treated before the installation of the system. The results of the study revealed that the BCMA system reduced the risk of medication error by 50 percent (Morriss et al., 2011). The system reduced the risk of errors that originate from opioid administration significantly. The researchers stated that the method is more effective when used together with other error-reduction strategies such as structured medical record audits (Morriss et al., 2011).
Correct labeling and packaging reduce medication errors by providing dosage information such as route of administration, name of drug, and dosage (Anderson & Ellis, 1999). Appropriate packaging measures include pediatric-sized packs and adequate instructions to prevent instances of administration of wrong doses. Dangerous drugs should be distinct, pediatric dosage information should be sufficient, and barcoding should be incorporated into each vial (Anderson & Ellis, 1999). It is also important to make drug delivery systems specifically for each type of drug. Establishing effective pharmacies is necessary for the reduction of errors such as poor reporting and low-quality service. Medication administration should follow certain rules that include the use of standardized dose tables, accurate reporting systems, and bedside technology (Anderson & Ellis, 1999).
Errors also originate from sound-alike and look-alike medications that have similar concentrations and dosages as well as similar-appearing packages (Sauberan, Dean, Fiedelak, & Abraham, 2010). Sufficient knowledge regarding different drugs enables nurses to differentiate between look-alike and sound-alike drugs which are a common source of errors. These errors can be avoided by establishing clear drug distribution procedures and standards, and educating nurses and pharmacy staff about the differences between look-alike and sound-alike drugs (Sauberan et al., 2010). Moreover, the errors can be avoided by labeling such drugs with different colors and changing the system of storing, ordering, documenting, and dispensing infant medication (Sauberan et al., 2010). The documentation of medication should be precise, clear, and distinct for each type of drug. Medication should be clearly labeled and stored on different shelves or dispensing machines to avoid confusion during ordering, dispensing, and administration.
References
Anderson, B, J., & Ellis, J. F. (1999). Common Errors of Drug Administration in Infants: Causes and Avoidance. Paediatric Drugs, 1(2), 93-107. Web.
Lemoine, J. B., & Hurst, H. M. (2012). Using Smart Pumps to reduce Medication Errors in the NICU. Nursing for Women’s Health, 16(1), 151-158. Web.
Morriss, F. H., et al. (2011). Risk of Adverse Drug Events in Neonates Treated with Opioids and the Effect of a Bar-Code-Assisted Medication Administration System. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, 68, 57-62. Web.
Sauberan, J. B., Dean, L. M., Fiedelak, J. & Abraham, J. A. (2010). Origins of and Solutions for Neonatal Medication-Dispensing Errors. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, 67, 49-57. Web.