[Patient safety in antibiotics administration: Risk assessment].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the level of risk in the preparation and administration of antibiotics frequently used in the Intensive Care Unit using a risk matrix.


METHODS
A study was conducted using situation analysis and literature review of databases, protocols and good practice guidelines on intravenous therapy, drugs, and their administration routes. The most used antibiotics in the ICU registered in the ENVIN-HELICS program from 1 April to 30 June 2015 were selected. In this period, 257 patients received antimicrobial treatment and 26 antibiotics were evaluated. Variables studied: A risk assessment of each antibiotic using the scale Risk Assessment Tool, of the National Patient Safety Agency, as well as pH, osmolarity, type of catheter recommended for administration, and compatibility and incompatibility with other antibiotics studied.


RESULTS
Almost two-thirds (65.3%) of antibiotics had more than 3 risk factors (represented by a yellow stripe), with the remaining 34.7% of antibiotics having between 0 and 2 risk factors (represented by a green stripe). There were no antibiotics with 6 or more risk factors (represented by a red stripe). Most drugs needed reconstitution, additional dilution, and the use of part of the vial to administer the prescribed dose.


CONCLUSIONS
More than half of the antibiotics studied had a moderate risk level; thus measures should be adopted in order to reduce it. The risk matrix is a useful tool for the assessment and detection of weaknesses associated with the preparation and administration of intravenous antibiotics.
Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos, Hospital Universitario Son Espases, Palma de Mallorca, España. Electronic address: momapalau@gmail.com.
M
M
Maqueda Palau
Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos, Hospital Universitario Son Espases, Palma de Mallorca, España.
E
E
Pérez Juan
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000517:prevention & control; D061214:Patient Safety; D018570:Risk Assessment
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
Antibiotic; Antibiótico; Drug incompatibility; Evaluación de riesgos; Incompatibilidad de medicamentos; Patient safety; Risk assessment; Seguridad del paciente