Enhancing safety with potassium phosphates injection.
The inadvertent administration of concentrated potassium chloride resulting in patient death is well-documented in Canada and other countries. Vials of potassium phosphates contain more than twice the concentration of potassium compared to vials of potassium chloride concentrate. If inadequately diluted or administered too rapidly, intravenous potassium phosphate can also lead to serious patient harm. This article contains information reprinted with permission from an ISMP Canada Safety Bulletin (ISMP Canada, 2006, April 25) for the purpose of enhancing safety with potassium phosphates injection.
Cornish
Patti
P
Patient Safety Service, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.
Hyland
Sylvia
S
Koczmara
Christine
C
D016907:Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D004348:Drug Labeling; D004349:Drug Packaging; D006287:Health Planning Guidelines; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010710:Phosphates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D017680:Potassium Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D017751:Safety Management / Q000458:organization & administration*
D010710:Phosphates; D017680:Potassium Compounds; C013216:potassium phosphate