Effects of the implementation of a preventive interventions program on the reduction of medication errors in critically ill adult patients
Author
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Romero Patiño, Carlos
Author
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Salazar López, Nicole
es_CL
Author
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Rojas, Lorena
es_CL
Author
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Escobar, Leslie
es_CL
Author
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Griñén, Héctor
es_CL
Author
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Berasaín, María Angélica
es_CL
Author
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Tobar Almonacid, Eduardo
es_CL
Author
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Jirón Aliste, Marcela
es_CL
Admission date
dc.date.accessioned
2014-01-24T16:14:33Z
Available date
dc.date.available
2014-01-24T16:14:33Z
Publication date
dc.date.issued
2013
Cita de ítem
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Journal of Critical Care (2013) 28, 451–460 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrc.2012.11.011
en_US
Identifier
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https://repositorio.uchile.cl/handle/2250/129169
General note
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Artículo de publicación ISI
en_US
Abstract
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Purpose: Medication errors (MEs) are a major factor limiting the effectiveness and safety of
pharmacological therapies in critically ill patients. The purpose was to determine if a preventive
interventions program (PIP) is associated with a significant reduction on prevalence of patients with
MEs in intensive care unit (ICU).
Methods: A prospective before-after study was conducted in a random sample of adult patients in a
medical-surgical ICU. Between 2 observational phases, a PIP (bundle of interventions to reduce MEs)
was implemented by a multidisciplinary team. Direct observation was used to detect MEs at baseline
and postintervention. Each medication process, that is, prescription, transcription, dispensing,
preparation, and administration, was compared with what the prescriber ordered; if there was a
difference, the error was described and categorized. Medication errors were defined according to the
National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention.
Results: A total of 410 medications for 278 patients were evaluated. A 31.7% decrease on the
prevalence of patients with MEs (41.9%-28.6%; P b .05) was seen. Main variations occurred in antiinfectives
for systemic use and prescription and administration stage.
Conclusions: The implementation of PIP by a multidisciplinary team resulted in a significant reduction
on the prevalence of patients with ME at an adult ICU.