title: Ten simple strategies to prevent chemotherapy errors.
abstract: Safety experts currently recommend using technology to prevent medication errors. Computerized prescriber order entry, automated medication-dispensing machines, and bar coding are a few of the technologies being advocated to promote safety. Simple, easily implemented safety strategies to prevent chemotherapy errors should not be overlooked and include consistent use of a reliable method to verify patient identity, metric measurement, and workplace illumination and organization. Other strategies are elimination of abbreviations and acronyms, provision of up-to-date information at the point of care, and partnering with patients for safety. These strategies can be customized for use in a variety of practice settings. Oncology nurses are at the forefront of chemotherapy error-prevention initiatives and play a key role in implementing safety measures.
authors.affiliation: LisaSchulmeister@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Schulmeister
mesh_terms: D000886:Anthropometry; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D016303:Clinical Pharmacy Information Systems; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D004360:Drug Therapy, Computer-Assisted; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D006804:Ergonomics; D006801:Humans; D008029:Lighting; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008510:Medication Systems, Hospital; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D010355:Patient Identification Systems; D017751:Safety Management; D017132:Workplace / Q000458:organization & administration
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents