Taking aim at infusion confusion.
A comprehensive multidisciplinary approach was used to improve drug infusion safety in an acute care hospital in Melbourne, Australia. This project aimed to reduce the potential for drug infusion-related error, improve drug infusion safety for patients, and encourage incident reporting to inform and guide continuous quality improvement projects. The project applied a systems approach to medication safety, using redesign strategies such as continuous quality improvement (plan, do, study, and act) and re-engineering. Key safety design concepts such as standardization, simplification, and forcing functions were also used.
Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. heddgab2@bigpond.com.au
Gabrielle
G
Burdeu
Ruth
R
Crawford
Melita
M
van de Vreede
Joanne
J
McCann
D000208:Acute Disease; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003422:Critical Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D004348:Drug Labeling / Q000592:standards; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000451:nursing / Q000592:standards*; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000458:organization & administration; D004867:Equipment Design; D006754:Hospital Restructuring / Q000458:organization & administration; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D007260:Infusion Pumps; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000451:nursing / Q000592:standards*; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000458:organization & administration; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education; D015279:Organizational Culture; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration; D017751:Safety Management / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014739:Victoria