Parenteral nutrition prescribing processes using computerized prescriber order entry: opportunities to improve safety.
The prescribing and processing of parenteral nutrition (PN) orders for pediatric patients may involve multiple steps, be time-consuming, and have opportunity for error if safety measures are not in place. The process can vary from institution to institution. The authors conducted a comparison of their system for the prescribing and processing of PN orders with the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition's (A.S.P.E.N.'s) Safe Practices for Parenteral Nutrition guidelines. Using a computerized prescriber order entry (CPOE) system allowed for compliance with most of the elements. The safety data demonstrated an overall low rate of transcription errors, an inherent risk when the CPOE system does not communicate directly with the automated compounding device (ACD). There was a 5% overall pharmacist intervention rate on PNs, similar to the 6%-8% rate seen with other medications. Approximately 6% of these PN interventions had an outcome associated with preventing an adverse drug reaction, toxicity, or medication error. Implementation of additional safety measures and standardization may have a positive impact on the complicated process of prescribing and processing PN orders at the authors' institution.
Department of Pharmacy, Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, Delaware 19803, USA. ehilmas@nemours.org
Elora
E
Hilmas
Joseph D
JD
Peoples
D002648:Child; D016303:Clinical Pharmacy Information Systems / Q000592:standards*; D004339:Drug Compounding / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized / Q000592:standards*; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010288:Parenteral Nutrition / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards*; D061214:Patient Safety / Q000592:standards*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects; D055656:Prescriptions / Q000592:standards*; D012955:Societies, Medical
D055553:Prescription Drugs