A Systematic Review of Quantitative Methods for Evaluating Electronic Medication Administration Record and Bar-Coded Medication Administration Usability.

BACKGROUND: Although electronic medication administration records (eMARs) and bar-coded medication administration (BCMA) have improved medication safety, poor usability of these technologies can increase patient safety risks. OBJECTIVES: The objective of our systematic review was to identify the impact of eMAR and BCMA design on usability, operationalized as efficiency, effectiveness, and satisfaction. METHODS: We retrieved peer-reviewed journal articles on BCMA and eMAR quantitative usability measures from PsycInfo and MEDLINE (1946-August 20, 2019), and EMBASE (1976-October 23, 2019). Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we screened articles, extracted and categorized data into the usability categories of effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction, and evaluated article quality. RESULTS: We identified 1,922 articles and extracted data from 41 articles. Twenty-four articles (58.5%) investigated BCMA only, 10 (24.4%) eMAR only, and seven (17.1%) both BCMA and eMAR. Twenty-four articles (58.5%) measured effectiveness, 8 (19.5%) efficiency, and 17 (41.5%) satisfaction. Study designs included randomized controlled trial (n = 1; 2.4%), interrupted time series (n = 1; 2.4%), pretest/posttest (n = 21; 51.2%), posttest only (n = 14; 34.1%), and pretest/posttest and posttest only for different dependent variables (n = 4; 9.8%). Data collection occurred through observations (n = 19, 46.3%), surveys (n = 17, 41.5%), patient safety event reports (n = 9, 22.0%), surveillance (n = 6, 14.6%), and audits (n = 3, 7.3%). CONCLUSION: Of the 100 measures across the 41 articles, implementing BCMA and/or eMAR broadly resulted in an increase in measures of effectiveness (n = 23, 52.3%) and satisfaction (n = 28, 62.2%) compared to measures of efficiency (n = 3, 27.3%). Future research should focus on eMAR efficiency measures, utilize rigorous study designs, and generate specific design requirements.

Cálculo de los Días de Terapia Antimicrobiana (DOT) en Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos: una propuesta de metodología basada en el sistema informático de dispensación de medicamentos / Days of Antimicrobial Therapy (DOT) calculation in Pediatric Intensive Care: a methodology proposal based on the electronic records from the pharmacy dispensation system

INTRODUCCIÓN: El método recomendado para la medición de consumo de antimicrobianos (AMB) en pediatría es el cálculo del indicador Días de Terapia estandarizado por ocupación (DOT-std). Sin embargo, en hospitales que no cuentan con fichas electrónicas, obtener el numerador de los días de terapia (DOT) requiere revisión directa de las indicaciones del paciente, dificultando su aplicabilidad. OBJETIVOS: Validar el sistema de registros electrónicos de dispensación de medicamentos desde farmacia como fuente para el cálculo de DOT y DOT-std en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátrica (UCIP). MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Se revisaron las prescripciones de AMB desde la ficha clínica (método manual) y se compararon con los registros de dispensación de AMB a la UCIP (método informático) obtenidos del sistema de medicamentos de farmacia. Se evaluó la concordancia entre los DOT obtenidos mediante el Coeficiente de Correlación Intraclase. RESULTADOS: Los AMB más utilizados fueron vancomicina, meropenem y piperacilina/tazobactam. En 9 de 12 AMB se encontró concordancia significativa entre ambos métodos. CONCLUSIONES: Tras un proceso de validación local, los registros del sistema informático de dispensación de medicamentos desde farmacia podrían utilizarse para el cálculo de DOT en pediatría en hospitales que no cuenten con una ficha electrónica que permita su cálculo directo.

BACKGROUND: The recommended indicator for measuring antimicrobial (AMB) consumption in pediatric patients is the Days of Therapy indicator (DOT), which is then standardized by hospital occupancy rates (DOT-std). However, in hospitals that do not have electronic health records, obtaining the DOT requires a direct review of each pharmacological indication, which is not feasible in the long term. AIMS: To validate electronic records from the pharmacy dispensation system as a source for calculating DOT and estimating DOT-std in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). METHODS: AMB prescriptions at the PICU of a university hospital were directly reviewed (manual method) and compared with AMB dispensation records (computer method) obtained from the hospital pharmacy system. The Intraclass Correlation Coefficient was used to evaluate the agreement between the DOT obtained by both methods. RESULTS: The most used AMB were vancomycin, meropenem, and piperacillin/tazobactam. A significant agreement between the DOT obtained by using manual and computer methods was found in 9 of 12 evaluated AMB. CONCLUSIONS: After a local validation process, the electronic records of the pharmacy drug dispensation system could be considered a valid source for calculating DOT in PICUs in hospitals where electronic health records with prescription data are not yet available.

Impact of automated dispensing cabinets on dispensing errors, interruptions and pillbox preparation time.

AIM: This work aimed to evaluate the impact of automated dispensing cabinets on the dispensing error rate, the number of interruptions, and pillbox preparation times. METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted across 16 wards in two departments (internal medicine and surgery) of a large teaching hospital. The study compared eight wards using automated dispensing cabinets (ADCs) and eight using a traditional ward stock (TWS) method. A disguised observation technique was used to compare occurrences of dispensing errors and interruptions and pillbox preparation times. The proportion of errors was calculated by dividing the number of doses with one or more errors by the total number of opportunities for error. Wards participating in the 'More time for patients' project-a Lean Management approach-were compared with those not participating. The potential severity of intercepted errors was assessed. RESULTS: Our observations recorded 2924 opportunities for error in the preparation of 570 pillboxes by 132 nurses. We measured a significantly lower overall error rate (1.0% vs 5.0%, p=0.0001), significantly fewer interruptions per hour (3.2 vs 5.7, p=0.008), and a significantly faster mean preparation time per drug (32 s vs 40 s, p=0.0017) among ADC wards than among TWS wards, respectively. We observed a significantly lower overall error rate (1.4% vs 4.4%, p=0.0268) and a non-significantly lower number of interruptions per hour (3.8 vs 5.1, p=0.0802) among wards participating in the 'More time for patients' project. CONCLUSIONS: A high dispensing-error rate was observed among wards using TWS methods. Wards using ADCs connected to computerised physician order entry and installed in a dedicated room had fewer dispensing errors and interruptions and their nurses prepared pillboxes faster. Wards participating in a Lean Management project had lower error rates than wards not using this approach.

Evaluation of Medication Incidents in a Long-term Care Facility Using Electronic Medication Administration Records and Barcode Technology.

Objective To describe the frequency, type, and severity of reported medication incidents that occurred at a long-term care facility (LTCF) despite electronic medication administration record and barcode-assisted medication administration (eMAR-BCMA) use. The study also contains analysis for the contribution of staff workarounds to reported medication administration errors (MAEs) using an established typology for BCMA workarounds, characterize if the eMAR-BCMA technology contributed to MAEs, and explore characteristics influencing incident severity. Design Retrospective incident report review. Setting A 239-bed LTCF in Alberta, Canada, that implemented eMAR-BCMA in 2013. Participants 270 paper-based, medication incident reports submitted voluntarily between June 2015 and October 2017. Interventions None. Results Most of the 264 resident-specific medication incidents occurred during the administration (71.9%, 190/264) or dispensing (28.4%, 75/264) phases, and 2.3% (6/264) resulted in temporary harm. Medication omission (43.7%, 83/190) and incorrect time (22.6%, 43/190) were the most common type of MAE. Workarounds occurred in 41.1% (78/190) of MAEs, most commonly documenting administration before the medication was administered (44.9%, 35/78). Of the non-workaround MAEs, 52.7% (59/112) were notassociated with the eMAR-BCMA technology, while 26.8% (30/112) involved system design shortcomings, most notably lack of a requirement to scan each medication pouch during administration. MAEs involving workarounds were less likely to reach the resident (74.4 vs 88.8%; relative risk = 0.84, 95% CI 0.72-0.97). Conclusion Administration and dispensing errors were the most reported medication incidents. eMAR-BCMA workarounds, and design shortcomings were involved in a large proportion of reported MAEs. Attention to optimal eMAR-BCMA use and design are required to facilitate medication safety in LTCFs.

Cost-effectiveness of central automated unit dose dispensing with barcode-assisted medication administration in a hospital setting.

BACKGROUND: Central automated unit dose dispensing (cADD) with barcode-assisted medication administration (BCMA) has been shown to reduce medication administration errors (MAEs). Little is known about the cost-effectiveness of this intervention. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the cost-effectiveness of cADD with BCMA compared to usual care. METHODS: An economic evaluation was conducted alongside a prospective before-and-after effectiveness study in a Dutch university hospital. The primary effect measure was the difference between the rate of MAEs before and after implementation of cADD with BCMA, obtained by disguised observation in six clinical wards and subsequent extrapolation to the entire hospital. The cost-analysis was conducted from a hospital perspective with a 12-month incremental costing approach. The total costs covered the pharmaceutical service, nurse medication handling, wastage, and materials related to cADD. The primary outcome was the cost-effectiveness ratio expressed as costs per avoided MAE, obtained by dividing the annual incremental costs by the number of avoided MAEs. The secondary outcome was the cost-effectiveness ratio expressed as costs per avoided potentially harmful MAE (i.e. MAEs with the potential to cause harm). RESULTS: The intervention was associated with an absolute MAE reduction of 4.5% and a reduction of 2.7% for potentially harmful MAEs. Based on 2,260,870 administered medications in the entire hospital annually, a total of 102,210 MAEs and 59,830 potentially harmful MAEs were estimated to be avoided. The intervention was associated with an increased incremental cost of €1,808,600 annually. The cost-effectiveness ratio was €17.69 per avoided MAE and €30.23 per avoided potentially harmful MAE. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of cADD with BCMA was associated with a reduced rate of medication errors, including harmful ones, at higher overall costs. The costs per avoided error are relatively low, and therefore, this intervention could be an important strategy to improve patient safety in hospitals.

Ocorrência de erros no preparo e na administração de medicamentos em unidade de pronto atendimento / Occurrence of errors in the preparation and administration of medications in an emergency care unit

Objetivo: caracterizar os erros durante o preparo e a administração de medicamentos injetáveis em unidade de pronto atendimento. Método: estudo transversal descritivo realizado em unidade de pronto atendimento. Foi realizada a coleta de dados por observação direta, não participante, durante 30 dias consecutivos e os dados foram analisados por estatística descritiva. Resultados: foram observadas 751 doses durante o processo de preparo e administração de medicamentos. Os principais erros foram ausência de higienização das mãos, desinfecção de frascos ampola e bancada, falha na informação sobre o medicamento administrado e na identificação do paciente e verificação de alergia medicamentosa. Conclusão: os erros no processo de preparo e administração de medicamentos ocorrem frequentemente em unidade de pronto atendimento. O estudo indica e reforça a necessidade de reestruturação do serviço de emergência para uma prática segura e oferece subsídios para planejar a educação permanente e a formação de novos profissionais.

Objective: to characterize errors during the preparation and administration of injectable drugs in an emergency care unit. Method: descriptive cross-sectional study carried out in an emergency care unit. Data collection was performed by direct non-participant observation, for 30 consecutive days and the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: 751 doses were observed during the drug preparation and administration process. The main errors were lack of hand hygiene, disinfection of vials and countertops, failure to provide information on the administered drug and patient identification and verification of drug allergy. Conclusion: errors in the medication preparation and administration process often occur in an emergency care unit. The study indicates and reinforces the need to restructure the emergency service for a safe practice and offers subsidies to plan permanent education and the training of new professionals.

Administração segura de medicamentos pelos profissionais de enfermagem no ambiente hospitalar: protocolo de scoping review / Safe administration of medications by nursing professionals in the hospital environment: scoping review protocol / La administración segura de medicamentos por los profesionales de enfermería en el ambiente hospitalario: protocolo de scoping review

OBETIVO: mapear estratégias para administração segura de medicamentos pelos profissionais de enfermagem no ambiente hospitalar. MÉTODO: scoping review conduzida de acordo com a metodologia do Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guiada pela questão de pesquisa: Quais estratégias para administração segura de medicamentos têm sido uti-lizadas pelos profissionais de enfermagem no contexto hospitalar? A busca será realizada em seis bases de dados e na literatura cinzenta, com a utilização do software Rayyanpara gerenciamento da coleta e seleção de estudos. Será realizada a avaliação do título e do resumo de todos os estudos identificados, com base nos critérios de inclusão e exclusão estabelecidos, por dois revisores de forma independente e por um terceiro revisor para resolver possíveis divergências. Os dados serão sintetizados de forma descritiva. Um resumo narrativo acompanhará os resultados tabulados e mapeados e descreverá como os resultados se relacionam com o objetivo e a questão da revisão

OBJECTIVE: mapping strategies for safe drug administration by nursing professionals in the hospital environment. METHOD: scoping review conducted according to the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology guided by the research question: What strategies for safe medication administration have been used by nursing professionals in the hospital context? The search will be carried out in six databases and in the gray literature, using the Rayyan software to manage the collection and selection of studies. The title and abstract of all identified studies will be evaluated, based on the established inclusion and exclusion criteria, by two reviewers independently and a third reviewer to resolve possible discrepancies. The data will be summarized in a descriptive way. A narrative summary will accompany the tabulated and mapped results and describe how the results relate to the objective and issue of the review.

OBJETIVO: mapear estrategias para la administración segura de medicamentos por los profesionales de enfermería en el ambiente hospitalario. MÉTODO: scoping reviewrealizada según la metodología del Instituto Joanna Briggs (JBI) guiada por la pregunta de investigación: ¿Qué estrategias para la administración segura de medicamentos han sido utilizadas por los profesionales de enfermería en el contexto hospitalario? La búsqueda se realizará en seis bases de datos y en la literatura grisácea, utilizando el software Rayyan para gestionar la recolección y selección de estudios. Se realizará la evaluación del título y del resumen de todos los estudios identificados, en base a los criterios de inclusión y exclusión establecidos, por dos revisores de forma independiente y un tercer revisor para resolver posibles discrepancias. Los datos se resumirán de forma descriptiva. Un resumen narrativo acompañará los resultados tabulados y mapeados y describirá cómo los resultados se relacionan con el objetivo y el tema de la revisión.

Evaluation and optimization of a clinical pharmacist driven transitions of care model for malignant hematology.

PURPOSE: To implement and optimize a pilot transitions of care model for scheduled chemotherapy admissions in patients with hematologic malignancies at our institution.Methodology: We utilized the plan-do-study-act (PDSA) quality improvement technique to prospectively measure success of interventions related to improving transitions of care processes that occurred in multiple stages including development of standardized operating procedures, electronic medical record documentation, and education to the malignant hematology multidisciplinary group. Chart review was performed retrospectively for at least nine patients per PDSA cycle. Areas of intervention addressed and measured regarding communication between the ambulatory care and acute care settings included: admission purpose, processes related to insurance benefits investigations for specialty medications required in the post-discharge setting, and plan for growth factors, prophylactic antimicrobials, and follow-up.Results and conclusions: We included 28 patients and performed a total of three PDSA cycles demonstrating specific improvements in: communication regarding status of benefits investigations performed for specialty medications prior to admission, resolution of these benefits investigations at various time points, improvement in efficient use of the electronic medical record for chemotherapy orders, and patient instructions for appropriate use of prophylactic antimicrobials. Although improvement was noted initially with prescribing of discharge antiemetics and antimicrobials, regression to baseline was noted with the third PDSA cycle.

Risk reduction in a cancer chemotherapy production unit: Contribution of an automated drug dispensing system.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to evaluate the contribution of an automated drug dispensing system in securing cancer chemotherapy production process at the pharmacy of the National Institute of Oncology in Rabat. METHODS: The failure modes and effects analysis method was applied to the chemotherapy production process in two phases: Phase 1, using an open shelf for storage then phase 2, using an automated drug dispensing system. The failure modes were defined and their criticality indexes was calculated on the basis of the likelihood of occurrence, the potential severity for the patients and/or the impact on the process and the detection probability. The criticality indexes of the two phases were prioritized and compared. RESULTS: We identified 35 failure modes for phase 1 and 37 for phase 2. The sum of criticality indexes was 5957 and 4586, respectively, for phase 1 and phase 2, corresponding to a criticality reduction of -23%. The greatest improvements concerned that the needed drug is missing during the picking, storage of potential expired drugs, and double compounding. CONCLUSION: Our study highlighted the contribution of automated drug dispensing system in risk minimization. The use of automated drug dispensing system is a part of security improvement in chemotherapy production unit.

Traducción y adaptación transcultural instrumento Seguridad de Paciente en Administración de Medicamentos Pediatría: Versión español / Tradução e adaptação transcultural do instrumento Segurança do Paciente na Administração de Medicamentos na Pediatria: versão espanhola / Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the instrument Patient Safety in Pediatric Drug Administration: Spanish version

Resumen Objetivo Traducir, adaptar e validar el contenido del instrumento Seguridad del paciente en la Administración de Medicamentos en Pediatría versión portugués para el español en la realidad de Perú. Método Estudio metodológico, a partir de las etapas: traducción inicial para idioma español por dos traductores independientes; síntesis de las traducciones; Retrotraducción de la síntesis del instrumento para el idioma de origen; test de la versión prefinal con tres enfermeras y evaluación de las propiedades psicométricas del instrumento en la versión español, de acuerdo validación de contenido y de confiabilidad. Fue aprobado por el comité de ética. Resultados las etapas de traducción y retrotraducción por el comité de especialistas consolido las versiones y componentes del instrumento y las traducidas quedando la versión prefinal del instrumento para testar en la práctica asistencial después de realizadas modificaciones en la redacción de algunos ítems de la versión traducida. En el análisis de las propiedades psicométricas, el Coeficiente de validez de contenido obtenida por el comité de especialistas es adecuado (>0,80), con Alfa de Cronbach final del instrumento de 0,91. Conclusión el instrumento Seguridad del Paciente en la Administración de Medicamentos en Pediatría - versión español se encuentra traducido, adaptado, validado y adecuada confiabilidad.

Resumo Objetivo Traduzir, adaptar e validar o conteúdo do instrumento Segurança do Paciente na Administração de Medicamentos em Pediatria versão em português para o espanhol na realidade do Peru. Método Estudo metodológico, baseado nas etapas: tradução inicial para o espanhol por tradutores autônomos; síntese de traduções; Retrotradução da síntese do instrumento para o idioma original; teste da versão pré-final com três enfermeiras e avaliação das propriedades psicométricas do instrumento SPAMP-vE, para validação precisa do conteúdo e confiabilidade (homogeneidade: Alfa de Cronbach), foi iniciado após aprovação pelo Comitê de Ética. Resultados nas etapas de tradução e retrotradução pelo comitê de especialistas consolidou-se todas as versões e componentes do instrumento, incluindo o instrumento original, instruções e todas as versões traduzidas, e se desenvolveu a versão prefinal do instrumento para testes na prática assistencial. No processo de equivalência semântica, idiomática y conceptual foi enfatizada a influência do nível sociocultural e profissional na compreensão das questões do instrumento pelo público-alvo. Assim, foram realizadas modificações na redação de alguns itens da versão traduzida para simplificá-la gramaticalmente e, em alguns casos, para adequá-la a uma linguagem mais utilizada, visando melhor compreensão pela população-alvo. Na análise das propriedades psicométricas, o Coeficiente de Validade de conteúdo obtida pelo comitê de especialistas foi adequada (>0,80), com Alfa de Cronbach final do instrumento de 0,91. Conclusão o instrumento Segurança do Paciente na Administração de Medicamentos na Pediatria - versão espanhol encontra-se traduzido e adaptado, apresentando validade e confiabilidade adequadas.

Abstract Objetive Translate, adapt and validate the content of the instrument Patient Safety in the Administration of Medicines in Pediatrics Portuguese version for Spanish in the reality of Peru. Method Methodological study, based on the steps: initial translation into Spanish by freelance translators; synthesis of translations; Back translation of the synthesis of the instrument to the original language; test of the prefinal version with three nurses and evaluation of the psychometric properties of the PSAMP-Ev instrument, for precise content validation and reliability (homogeneity: Cronbach's Alpha) was started after approval by the Ethics Committee. Results in the translation and back-translation steps by the expert committee, all versions and components of the instrument and all translated versions, and the pre-final version of the instrument has been developed for practice testing. After changes were made in the wording of some items of the translated version to simplify it grammatically and, in some cases, to adapt it to a more widely used language, aiming at better understanding by the target population. In the analysis of psychometric properties, The content validity coefficient obtained by the specialist committee is adequate (>0.80), with the final Cronbach's Alpha of the instrument of 0.91. Conclusion the instrument Patient Safety in the Administration of Medicines in Pediatrics - english version is translated, adapted, validated and adequate reliability.

Compliance to safety barriers in the medication administration process in pediatrics / Adherencia a las barreras de seguridad en el proceso de administración de medicamentos en pediatría / Adesão às barreiras de segurança no processo de administração de medicamentos na pediatria

ABSTRACT Objective: to investigate the compliance to safety barriers adopted in the preparation and administration of intravenous drugs in Pediatric and Pediatric Intensive Care Units. Method: exploratory, observational descriptive study, conducted with the nursing team of a pediatric intensive care unit and a pediatric clinic of a large public hospital in Belo Horizonte, from August to November 2017. Results: the sample consisted of 334 opportunities to observe the preparation and administration of medications in pediatric patients. Most of the actions were performed by female professionals, nursing technicians and civil servants. The professionals did not perform all the necessary safety barriers in any of the procedures. The hygiene of the preparation site, disinfection of the ampoule, connection, conference of the drug/dose/route administered with the prescription and double checking of the drugs were those that had the lowest compliance. Conclusion: the study highlights the fragility regarding compliance to safety barriers in the preparation and administration of medicines, resulting in a risk to the safety of hospitalized children. Continued education based on good practice is believed to be an important strategy for security.

RESUMEN Objetivo: investigar la adherencia a las barreras de seguridad adoptadas en la preparación y administración de fármacos intravenosos en unidades de cuidados intensivos pediátricos y pediátricos. Método: estudio exploratorio, observacional, descriptivo realizado con el equipo de enfermería de una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos y una clínica pediátrica en un gran hospital público de Belo Horizonte, en el período de agosto del nuevo 2017. Resultados: la muestra consistió en 334 oportunidades para observar la preparación y administración de medicamentos en pacientes pediátricos. La mayoría de las acciones fueron realizadas por mujeres profesionales, técnicas de enfermería y candidatas. En ninguno de los procedimientos el profesional realizó todas las barreras de seguridad necesarias. Las acciones de higiene del sitio de preparación, desinfección de la ampolla, conexión, control del medicamento / dosis / vía administrada con la prescripción y doble control de los medicamentos fueron los que tuvieron menor adherencia. Conclusión: el estudio apunta a la fragilidad en la adherencia a las barreras de seguridad en la preparación y administración de medicamentos, lo que se traduce en un riesgo para la seguridad de los niños hospitalizados. Se cree que la educación continua basada en buenas prácticas es una estrategia importante para la seguridad.

RESUMO Objetivo: investigar a adesão das barreiras de segurança adotadas no preparo e na administração de medicamentos endovenosos em unidades de Pediatria e Terapia Intensiva Pediátrica. Método: estudo descritivo exploratório, observacional, realizado com a equipe de enfermagem de uma Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Pediátrica e uma clínica pediátrica de um hospital público de grande porte de Belo Horizonte, no período de agosto a novembro de 2017. Resultados: a amostra foi constituída por 334 oportunidades de observação do preparo e administração de medicamentos em pacientes pediátricos. A maior parte das ações foi realizada por profissionais do sexo feminino, técnicos de enfermagem e concursados. Em nenhum dos procedimentos o profissional executou todas as barreiras de segurança necessárias. As ações de higienização do local do preparo, desinfecção da ampola, conexão, conferência do medicamento/dose/via administrada com a prescrição e checagem dupla dos medicamentos foram as que tiveram menor adesão. Conclusão: o estudo aponta para a fragilidade quanto à adesão das barreiras de segurança no preparo e na administração de medicamentos, resultando em risco para a segurança das crianças hospitalizadas. Acredita-se que a educação continuada pautada nas boas práticas seja uma estratégia importante para a segurança.

Uso de tarjetas de medicación en el manejo de estado epiléptico en un servicio de emergencias. Mejoras en prescripción, preparación y administración de drogas / Use of medication cards in the management of statu epilepticus at an emergency department. Improvements in drug prescription, preparation and administration

Introducción: Los errores de medicación (EM) causan una elevada morbimortalidad y generan costos innecesarios. El servicio de emergencias (SE) presenta un mayor riesgo de EM que otras áreas. El desarrollo de una herramienta que estandarice el uso de fármacos podría mejorar la seguridad y el proceso de medicación. Objetivos: Evaluar las mejoras en el proceso de medicación mediante el uso de tablas de medicación (TM) durante la atención del estado epiléptico (EE). Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio de tipo antes y después no controlado. La intervención fue el desarrollo e implementación de TM. Se relevó in situ la prescripción, preparación y administración de fármacos incluidos en las TM durante segunda quincena de Octubre y mes de Noviembre 2016, previo a la implementación de la herramienta, y en el mismo período de 2017, luego de la inducción e implementación de las tablas. Se registraron los EM y se categorizaron de acuerdo a la etapa del proceso en que ocurrieron. Resultados: En el período pre-intervención se realizaron 14 registros, 86% (12) tenía al menos un error; 57% (8) errores en la etapa de prescripción, 57% (8) en la de preparación y 21% (3) en la de administración. En el período post-intervención se realizaron 17 registros, 12% (2) tenía por lo menos un EM. No se registraron errores en la fase de prescripción, hubo 12% (2) de errores de preparación y 6% (1) de administración. Conclusión: La implementación de las TM para la estandarización del uso de fármacos en EE resultó una medida muy positiva, mejorando la seguridad en el proceso de medicación (AU)

Introduction: Medication errors (ME) are associated with high morbidity mortality and lead to unnecessary costs. The risk of ME is higher at the emergency department (ED) than in other areas. Developing a tool that standardizes drug use may improve safety and medication processes. Objectives: To evaluate improvements in the medication process by using medication cards (MCs) during status epilepticus (SE) care. Materials and methods: An uncontrolled before-and-after study was conducted. The intervention was the development and implementation of MCs. The in situ prescription, preparation, and administration of drugs included in the MCs was recorded during the second half of October and November 2016, prior to the implementation of the tool, and in the same period of 2017, after the introduction and implementation of the MCs. ME were recorded and categorized according to the stage of the process in which they occurred. Results: In the pre-intervention period 14 episodes were recorded; in 86% (12) at least one error occurred; 57% (8) were ME in the prescription stage, 57% (8) were ME in the preparation stage, and 21% (3) were ME in the administration stage. In the post-intervention period 17 errors were recorded, in 12% (2) at least one ME occurred. No errors were recorded in the prescription stage, 12% (2) were preparation errors, and 6% (1) administration errors. Conclusion: The implementation of MCs for the standardization of medications used in the RU was successful, improving safety in the medication process (AU)

Evaluating the impact of various medication safety risk reduction strategies on medication errors in an Australian Health Service.

Background Medication errors remain the second common type of preventable incidents reported in Australian hospitals contributing to a significant morbidity and mortality to the society. Objectives The primary objective was to evaluate the impact of multiple patient-centred and system redesign strategies on medication errors across an Australian Health service. The secondary aim is to assess the impact of these strategies on patients 'satisfaction. Methods Multiple patient centred and system redesign stratrgies were implemented to reduce medication errors across a 450 bed Australian hospital through optimising steps in the medication management cycle to improve patient care and experience. The various types of strategies have been implemented over 2.5 years (May 2015-Dec 2017) through successful engagement with various stakeholders including doctors, pharmacists, nurses, and patients. Baseline data of total medication errors, the number of prescribing errors and medication errors with harm reported in the hospital's electronic incident medication management systems were collected for 6 months pre and post implementation of all medication safety strategies to measure their overall impact on the medication management cycle. A qualitative and quantitative standard patient satisfaction survey was also sought pre and post intervention phase. Results The various strategies were successfully implemented with stakeholders. The number of reported medication errors has reduced in the post intervention phase (656 vs 534). The total number of prescribing errors and reported medication errors with harm have also reduced post the intervention phase P < 0.0076 and P < 0.05 respectively. Error rates for common medications errors have significantly reduced, P < 0.001. Additionally, patients' satisfaction has also increased, P < 0.0001. Conclusion Introducing multifaceted redesign strategies across hospitals coupled with a patient centred care approach drive excellence in healthcare.

Percepção do graduando de Enfermagem na segurança do paciente com sistema de medicamentos por dose unitária / Perception of nursing students in patient safety with unit dose medication system / Percepción de estudiantes de enfermería en seguridad del paciente con sistema de medicación de dosis unitaria

Objetivos: Descrever a percepção do graduando de enfermagem sobre a segurança do paciente no Sistema de distribuição de Medicamentos por Dose unitária - SDMDU. Método: Pesquisa de campo exploratória, quantitativa, qualitativa, não probabilística intencional. Realizada em um hospital infantil que utiliza o SDMDU. Foram entrevistados 126 graduandos de enfermagem. Resultados: Percepção positiva para 99(78,57%) dos graduandos de enfermagem, categorizado por Sistema Seguro 45 (45,45%) e, 30(30,30%) relatam que o SDMDU diminui erros. Entretanto 21(16,67%) referiram percepção negativa, afirmam que o Preparo e Administração dos medicamentos 10(47,61%) devem ocorrer pela enfermagem e, consideram o Sistema inseguro, 9(42,85%) entrevistados. Considerações Finais: O SDMDU é um processo que traz maior segurança ao paciente. O enfermeiro deve conhecer a responsabilidade sobre a administração de medicamentos como algo importante dentro do conjunto de atividades que realiza, uma vez que a implantação do SDMDU reflete diretamente nas atividades da equipe de enfermagem.(AU)

Objectives: To describe the perception of nursing students on patient safety in the Distribution System of Medicines by Unit Dose - SDMDU. Method: Exploratory, quantitative, qualitative, non-probabilistic, intentional field research. Held in a children's hospital that uses the SDMDU. 126 nursing graduates were interviewed. Results: Positive perception for 99 (78.57%) of nursing students, categorized by Sistema Seguro 45 (45.45%) and 30 (30.30%) report that the SDMDU decreases errors. However, 21 (16.67%) reported a negative perception, affirm that the Preparation and Administration of medicines 10 (47.61%) must be performed by nursing staff and, considering the System unsafe, 9 (42.85%) interviewed. Final Considerations: The SDMDU is a process that brings greater safety to the patient. The nurse must know the responsibility for medication administration as something important within the set of activities that he performs, since the implementation of the SDMDU reflects directly on the activities of the nursing team.(AU)

Objetivos: Describir la percepción de los estudiantes de enfermería sobre la seguridad del paciente en el Sistema de Distribución de Medicamentos por Unidad Dosis - SDMDU. Método: Investigación de campo exploratoria, cuantitativa, cualitativa, no probabilística e intencional. Se lleva a cabo en un hospital de niños que utiliza la SDMDU. Se entrevistaron 126 graduados en enfermería. Resultados: La percepción positiva para 99 (78.57%) de estudiantes de enfermería, categorizados por Sistema Seguro 45 (45.45%) y 30 (30.30%) informan que el SDMDU disminuye los errores. Sin embargo, 21 (16,67%) informaron una percepción negativa, afirman que la preparación y administración de medicamentos 10 (47,61%) debe ser realizada por personal de enfermería y, considerando que el sistema no es seguro, 9 (42,85%) entrevistados. Consideraciones Finales: SDMDU es un proceso que brinda mayor seguridad al paciente. La enfermera debe conocer la responsabilidad de la administración de medicamentos como algo importante dentro del conjunto de actividades que realiza, ya que la implementación de la SDMDU se refleja directamente en las actividades del equipo de enfermería.(AU)

Specialized pharmaceutical care in social health centers in the times of COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic is having a devastating effect on the nursing homes for dependent older people. The difficulty of management of this crisis is aggravated by the frailty of the people served and by the specific characteristics of the care  area, mainly the fact of not being integrated into the health system. The  objective of this work is to describe the pharmaceutical care developed by a  hospital pharmacy service established in a nursing home and, from a more  global perspective, analyze the strengths and weaknesses found from the  various experiences of hospital pharmacy in all spanish autonomous  communities to deal with this pandemic. Specialized pharmaceutical care has  provided rigor in the validation and treatments review processes from a  comprehensive perspective, maximizing safety and collaborating in the  establishment of the therapeutic intensity degree most appropriate to the  individual situation, has ensured the availability of all necessary medications,  has collaborated in the acquisition and management of personal protective equipment, has been able to adapt the dispensation processes to the internal  nursing homes sectorization and has facilitated the coordination between the  nursing home and the health system. It is clear that the crisis casued by COVID- 19 has put relevance of the need to integrate the social-health level into the  health system. And also, the contribution of specialized pharmaceutical care in  improving healthcare coverage and coordination with health services has  highlighted the urgency of developing the current legislation, prioritizing the  establishment of pharmacy services able to provid specialized and specific care  for this area, so that it meets healthcare needs and is integrated into the health  system.

La pandemia COVID-19 está teniendo un efecto devastador en las residencias de personas mayores dependientes. La dificultad de la gestión de la crisis se ve  agravada por la fragilidad de las personas atendidas y por las propias  características del ámbito asistencial, principalmente el hecho de no estar  integrado en el sistema de salud. El objetivo del presente trabajo es describir la  atención farmacéutica especializada desarrollada por un servicio de farmacia  hospitalario establecido en un centro sociosanitario y, desde una perspectiva  más global, analizar las fortalezas y debilidades encontradas desde las diversas experiencias de la farmacia hospitalaria en el conjunto de comunidades autónomas para hacer frente a esta pandemia. La atención  farmacéutica especializada ha aportado rigor en los procesos de validación y  revisión de los tratamientos desde una perspectiva integral, maximizando la  seguridad y colaborando en el establecimiento del grado de intensidad  terapéutica más adecuado a la situación individual de la persona afectada, ha  asegurado la disponibilidad de todos los medicamentos necesarios, ha  colaborado en la adquisición y gestión de los equipos de protección individual, ha  sido capaz de adaptar los procesos de dispensación a la sectorización interna de las residencias y ha facilitado la coordinación entre la residencia y el sistema  de salud. Resulta evidente que la crisis provocada por la COVID-19 ha puesto de relevancia la necesidad de integrar el ámbito sociosanitario en el sistema de  salud. Y asimismo, la contribución de la atención farmacéutica especializada en  la mejora de la cobertura asistencial y de la coordinación con los servicios  sanitarios ha puesto de manifiesto la urgencia de desarrollar la legislación  vigente, priorizando el establecimiento de servicios de farmacia capaces de  proporcionar una atención especializada y específica para este ámbito  asistencial, de forma que cubra las necesidades asistenciales y quede integrada  en la estructura sanitaria.

Standardization Consensus of a Hospital Drug Database: An Efficient Tool.

BACKGROUND: Although the electronic prescribing software is the same for all hospitals of a regional health service, each has its own drug database, which it is responsible for maintaining. The aim of this study was to develop a consensus to standardize the hospital drug database of the electronic prescribing software, and to apply this tool to the electronic prescribing system of an oncology outpatient clinic of a Spanish tertiary-level hospital. Additionally, we sought to analyze the impact of the implemented actions on the health care services provided. METHODS: This was a prospective study carried out over a period of 15 months by a group of pharmacists representing all Organizational Integrated Management Systems of a regional health service, and coordinated by the General Subdirectorate of Pharmaceuticals. RESULTS: A total of 500 drugs and 500 active pharmaceutical ingredients included in the hospital drug database were standardized to implement the electronic prescribing system in the oncology outpatient clinic. The implementation of such standardization process yielded a 70% decrease in medication errors. In the satisfaction survey concerning the usefulness of the tall-man letters implemented in the electronic prescribing system, the interviewed doctors reported the highest levels of satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: The creation of consensus documents to standardize the hospital drug database served to unify the information available in the regional hospital pharmacy services of an autonomous community. In addition, the implementation of the electronic prescribing system in the oncology outpatient clinic of a tertiary-level hospital resulted in a decrease in the number of medication errors.

Impact of discharge medication bedside delivery service on hospital reutilization.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of a medication to bedside delivery (meds-to-beds) service on hospital reutilization in an adult population. METHODS: A retrospective, single-center, observational cohort study was conducted within a regional academic medical center from January 2017 to July 2017. Adult patients discharged from an internal medicine unit with at least one maintenance medication were evaluated. The primary outcome was the incidence of 30-day hospital reutilization between two groups: discharged patients who received meds-to-beds versus those who did not. Additionally, the incidence of 30-day hospital reutilization between the two groups was compared within predefined subgroup patient populations: polypharmacy, high-risk medication use, and patients with a principal discharge diagnosis meeting the criteria set by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services 30-day risk standardized readmission measures. RESULTS: A total of 600 patients were included in the study (300 patients in the meds-to-beds group and 300 patients in the control group). The 30-day hospital reutilization (emergency department visits and/or hospital readmissions) related to the index visit was lower in the meds-to-beds group, but the difference was not statistically significant between the two groups (8.0% in the meds-to-beds group versus 10.0% in the control group; odds ratio, 0.78; 95% confidence interval, 0.45-1.37). There was no significant difference in the 30-day hospital reutilization related to the index visit between the control and meds-to-beds groups within the three subgroups analyzed. CONCLUSION: There was no difference in 30-day hospital reutilization related to the index visit with the implementation of meds-to-beds service in the absence of other transitions-of-care interventions.

[Evolution of the legal and normative framework surrounding the practice of hospital pharmacy and the correct use of drugs in Quebec]. / Évolution du cadre juridique et normatif entourant l'exercice de la pharmacie hospitalière et le bon usage des médicaments au Québec.

OBJECTIVES: The objective was to identify the main texts applicable to the practice of pharmacy in Quebec, then count the specific number of recommendations and criteria and describe the evolution of the legal and normative framework. METHODS: This is a descriptive and retrospective study of the main texts applicable to the legal and normative framework for the practice of pharmacy on January 1st, 2019. RESULTS: A total of 107 texts relating to the practice of pharmacy in Quebec were identified. They come from the legislator (53.1 %), the Order of pharmacists (26.1 %) or other organizations (20.8 %). These were laws/regulations (n=59), contributing to the optimal use of drugs (n=18), relating to hospital pharmacy management (n=18), the provision of pharmaceutical care (n=11), drug preparation (n=3), oncology practice (n=2) or health and safety at work (n=1). Thirty-three texts were considered for enumeration of recommendations and explicit criteria, for a total of 235 recommendations and 3703 explicit criteria applicable to the practice of hospital pharmacy in Quebec. CONCLUSION: There is a significant increase in the number of texts, recommendations and criteria applicable to the practice of hospital pharmacy in Quebec. Compliance with this legal and normative framework appears to be a considerable challenge for hospital pharmacists. It seems worthwhile to further promote discussion with text-issuing agencies in order to keep the search for compliance realistic.

Analysis of Ornidazole Injection in Clinical Use at Post-marketing Stage by Centralized Hospital Monitoring System.

This study aims to analyze the clinical use of ornidazole injection at the post-marketing stage by centralized hospital monitoring system method, and investigate its widespread use in patients, in order to regulate and guide the rational drug use, improve the drug specificity and provide a basis for drug therapy. The study adopts a prospective, multi-center, large sample size, centralized hospital monitoring system. We selected five leading hospitals in Hubei province, and observed the inpatients who received the ornidazole injection from July 1, 2015 to October 31, 2015. The basic information of patients was recorded, as well as the drug use and adverse events. The statistical analysis was performed based on these data. A total of 4396 individuals were enrolled in this study, most of them were middle-aged female patients and the ornidazole injection was mainly used as prophylactic prior to surgery to prevent the infections, and surgical treatment of anaerobic infections, abdominal infections and pelvic infections. The irrational drug use existed mainly in the prescribing and administration process, including unreasonable dosing frequency, rapid intravenous drip speed and extended duration of drug use. Eleven cases of adverse reactions were collected during the monitoring, incidence rate of adverse reactions was 2.5‰; adverse drug reactions occurred within 30 min. The study results fully reflected the usage of ornidazole injection in the real world. Based on the study, we calculated the adverse reaction incidence of ornidazole and identified the risk factors which may affect the safety of ornidazole injection. Study results strongly recommend that the manufacturers should publish standards for inpatient use and doctors should prescribe with caution accordingly.

Medication safety incidents in paediatric oncology after electronic medication management system implementation.

OBJECTIVE: To explore medication safety issues related to use of an electronic medication management system (EMM) in paediatric oncology practice, through the analysis of patient safety incident reports. METHODS: We analysed 827 voluntarily reported incidents relating to oncology patients that occurred over an 18-month period immediately following implementation of an EMM in a paediatric hospital in Australia. We identified medication-related and EMM-related incidents and carried out a content analysis to identify patterns. RESULTS: We found ~79% (n = 651) of incidents were medication-related and, of these, ~45% (n = 294) were EMM-related. Medication-related incidents included issues with: prescribing; dispensing; administration; patient transfers; missing chemotherapy protocols and information on current stage of patient treatment; coordination of chemotherapy administration; handling or storing medications; children or families handling medications. EMM-related incidents were classified into four groups: technical issues, issues with the user experience, unanticipated problems in EMM workflow, and missing safety features. CONCLUSIONS: Incidents reflected difficulties with managing therapies rich in interdependencies. EMM, and especially its 'automaticity', contributed to these incidents. As EMM impacts on safety in such high-risk settings, it is essential that users are aware of and attend to EMM automatic behaviours and are equipped to troubleshoot them.