Impact of the implementation of vasoactive drug protocols on safety and efficacy in the treatment of critically ill patients.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: The correct management of high-alert medications is a priority issue in expert recommendations for improving the clinical safety of patients. Objectives were to assess the impact of the implementation of vasoactive drug (VAD) protocols on safety and efficacy in the treatment of critically ill patients. METHODS: A prospective before-and-after study on the implementation of different VAD protocols, comparing medication errors (MEs) rates, mean intensive care unit (ICU) stay, mean blood pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) and oxygen saturation. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The study included 432 patients. There was a statistically significant decrease in prescribing errors (55·9%), validation errors (68·1%) and medication administration records (MAR) errors (78·8%). No differences were found between the two phases in ICU stay, MAP, HR and oxygen saturation. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: Implementation of protocols decreases variability in clinical practice, reduces the incidence of MEs and maintains the effectiveness of VAD therapy in critically ill patients.

The impact of a computerized physician order entry system on medical errors with antineoplastic drugs 5 years after its implementation.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Computerized physician order entry (CPOE) systems reduce medical errors (MEs). Nevertheless, a CPOE system may also lead to new types of errors, especially when it is first implemented. The objectives of this study were to determine the impact of a CPOE on the number of MEs and to identify the types of MEs in prescriptions issued by the Haematology Department 5 years after the implementation of the CPOE system. METHODS: We conducted a prospective analytical study on the implementation of a CPOE system at the Pharmacy Department of the Hospital Ramon y Cajal (Madrid, Spain). The study comprised three phases: a pre-implementation phase, an implementation phase conducted in the Haematology Department and a post-implementation phase, which was conducted 5 years after the implementation of the CPOE system. One hundred and fifty prescriptions per pre- and post-implementation phase were consecutively included in the study. A previously described classification scheme was used to detect and classify MEs. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The implementation of a CPOE system was associated with a large reduction in MEs. One hundred and fourteen patients (pre-implementation phase) were compared to 82 patients (post-implementation phase). The total number of MEs per 100 patients decreased from 236·8 (95% CI: 212·1-261·3) to 10·9 (95% CI: 5·8-19·6), with an absolute risk reduction of 36·2 (95% CI: 32·6-39·9). The percentage of prescriptions with an ME decreased from 37·5% to 1·2% (P < 0.001). In the pre-implementation phase, the drugs most frequently associated with MEs were rituximab (35·9%), cyclophosphamide (13%) and methotrexate (7%). In the post-implementation phase, 44·4% of prescription errors involved methotrexate. Five years after the implementation of the CPOE system, the majority of MEs were eliminated, the number of remaining errors (quantity, concentration and ambiguous prescription errors) decreased, and no new types of ME were detected. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: The CPOE system almost completely eliminated MEs with antineoplastic drugs in the Haematology Department. No new types of MEs were observed once physicians had become accustomed to using the system. However, some MEs were not eliminated. Constant diligence is needed to analyse and evaluate MEs associated with the CPOE system and their causes, such that the limitations of CPOE can be identified and overcome and the medication-use process associated with antineoplastic agents improved.

[Treatment of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia meningoencephalitis with intraventricular colistin]. / Administración de colistina intraventricular para el tratamiento de la meningoencefalitis por Stenotrophomonas maltophilia.

-

Administración de colistina intraventricular para el tratamiento de la meningoencefalitis por Stenotrophomonas maltophilia / Treatment of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia meningoencephalitis with intraventricular colistin

No disponible

Impacto de las alertas interactivas modales en la prescripción informatizada de ácido valproico y meropenem / Effect of modal computer-based alerts on the prescription of valproic acid and meropenem

Objetivo: Analizar el impacto de las alertas interactivas modales en la incidencia de la prescripción concomitante de ácido valproico (AVP) y meropenem. Material y método: Estudio analítico de intervención desarrollado en un hospital de tercer nivel de 11 meses de duración. Se seleccionaron aquellos pacientes ingresados con diagnóstico de epilepsia y en tratamiento con AVP y meropenem de forma concomitante. En el sistema de prescripción electrónica asistida se incluyó una alerta modal para que avisase al médico cuando se prescribiese de forma conjunta el AVP y meropenem. Para medir el impacto de esta alerta se compararon los resultados obtenidos con los de un periodo anterior en el que la alerta era no modal. Resultados: El número de pacientes en tratamiento concomitante con AVP y meropenen disminuyó de 13 a 4 pacientes (p = 0,046). Sin embargo, disminuyeron el número de peticiones de niveles de AVP y aumentó el número medio de días conjuntos de prescripción de 4,7 a 8,75. Conclusiones: La implementación de alertas modales disminuye la exposición de los pacientes al tratamiento concomitante de meropenem y AVP (AU)

Objective: To analyze the effect of modal computer-based alerts on the concomitant prescription of valproic acid (VPA) and meropenem. Material and method: Analytical intervention study conducted in a tertiary hospital for eleven months. Hospitalized patients with a diagnosis of epilepsy and treated with VPA and meropenem in concomitant therapy were included. In the computerized prescription order entry software an automatic non-modal alert was reconverted to a modal one. This was triggered when the physician introduced VPA and meropenem together in the same prescription. To measure the effect of this alert the prescription habits were compared with a previous period in which the alert was not modal. Results: Modal computer-based alert modified the prescription habit by reducing the number of patients with concomitant treatment from 13 to 4 (P = 0.046). However, it was notable that the number of requests for VPA serum levels decreased, and the average number of concomitant days of treatment rose from 4.7 to 8.75 in those patients in which none of the drugs was suspended. Conclusions: The implementation of modal computer-based alerts reduces patient exposure to concomitant treatment with meropenem and VPA (AU)

[Effect of modal computer-based alerts on the prescription of valproic acid and meropenem]. / Impacto de las alertas interactivas modales en la prescripción informatizada de ácido valproico y meropenem.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of modal computer-based alerts on the concomitant prescription of valproic acid (VPA) and meropenem. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Analytical intervention study conducted in a tertiary hospital for eleven months. Hospitalized patients with a diagnosis of epilepsy and treated with VPA and meropenem in concomitant therapy were included. In the computerized prescription order entry software an automatic non-modal alert was reconverted to a modal one. This was triggered when the physician introduced VPA and meropenem together in the same prescription. To measure the effect of this alert the prescription habits were compared with a previous period in which the alert was not modal. RESULTS: Modal computer-based alert modified the prescription habit by reducing the number of patients with concomitant treatment from 13 to 4 (P=.046). However, it was notable that the number of requests for VPA serum levels decreased, and the average number of concomitant days of treatment rose from 4.7 to 8.75 in those patients in which none of the drugs was suspended. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of modal computer-based alerts reduces patient exposure to concomitant treatment with meropenem and VPA.

[Analysis of the implementation of safety practices in the automated medication dispensing cabinets]. / Análisis de la implantación de prácticas seguras en los sistemas automatizados de dispensación de medicamentos.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the degree of implementation of recommended safety practices in the design and use of automated medication dispensing cabinets (ADCs) in Spanish hospitals. METHODS: A descriptive study based on completion of the "Self- Evaluation Survey on the Safety of Automated Medication Dispensing Systems" from 10/10/2012 to 4/10/2013, at voluntarily participating hospitals. The survey contained 93 items grouped into 14 core processes. RESULTS: In the 36 participating hospitals the average score for the completed survey was 307.8 points (66.2% of the highest possible score [LC 95% CI: 63.2-69.2]). The lowest scores were obtained for core processes 9, 12, 13, 8, 3, 4 and 11 referring to the establishment of guidelines for medication removed using the override function (28.4%), training for healthcare professionals (52%), risk management (53%), defining removal procedures (55.3%), use of ADCs in connection with electronic prescribing (60.9%), information that appears on ADC screens (61.8%) and eliminating medications being returned to ADCs (63.9%), respectively. The hospitals that used ADCs in connection with electronic prescribing as their principal system for distribution presented a higher level of implantation of safety practices than those that used ADCs as a complementary distribution system. CONCLUSIONS: ADC installation has been accompanied by the implementation of various safety practices, but there are still numerous areas of risk for which technical, organizational, and system monitoring safety practices must be added in order to minimize errors with this technology.

Objetivo: Conocer el grado de implantación de las prácticas seguras recomendadas para el diseño y utilización de los sistemas automatizados de dispensación (SAD) de medicamentos en los hospitales españoles. Método: Estudio descriptivo que se basó en la cumplimentación voluntaria del "Cuestionario de autoevaluación de la seguridad de los sistemas automatizados de dispensación de medicamentos", entre el 10-10-2012 y el 10-4-2013. El cuestionario contiene 93 puntos de evaluación agrupados en 14 procedimientos esenciales. Resultados: En los 36 hospitales participantes la puntuación media del cuestionario fue de 307,8 puntos (66,2% del valor máximo posible [LC 95%: 63,2-69,2]). Los valores porcentuales más bajos se obtuvieron de menor a mayor en los procedimientos esenciales 9, 12, 13, 8, 3, 4 y 11, referentes al establecimiento de directrices para las retiradas excepcionales de medicamentos (28,4%), formación a los profesionales (52%), gestión de riesgos (53%), definición de los procedimientos de retirada (55,3%), uso de SAD conectados a prescripción electrónica (60,9%), información que aparece en pantalla (61,8%) y eliminación de la devolución de medicamentos a los SAD (63,9%), respectivamente. Los hospitales que utilizaban SAD con conexión a prescripción electrónica como sistema principal de distribución presentaron un mayor grado de implantación de prácticas seguras que los que usaban SAD como sistema complementario. Conclusiones: La instalación de los SAD se ha acompañado de la implantación de varias prácticas seguras, pero existen numerosas áreas de riesgo en las que es necesario establecer prácticas de tipo técnico, organizativo y de monitorización del sistema para minimizar los errores con esta tecnología.

Síndrome de la orina morada en bolsa en paciente anciana con suplementos nutricionales / Purple urine bag syndrome in elderly woman with nutritional supplements

El síndrome de la orina morada en bolsa es una entidad poco frecuente que afecta característicamente a mujeres de edad avanzada con sondaje vesical prolongado y debilitadas por enfermedades crónicas. La presencia de patología urológica previa, el encamamiento prolongado y el estreñimiento crónico son factores predisponentes. El color morado de la orina se debe a la presencia de elevadas concentraciones de bacterias con actividad indoxilsulfatasa/fosfatasa que se desarrollan en un ambiente alcalino en presencia de otros factores. En el caso que presentamos la administración de suplementos nutricionales ricos en triptófano tuvieron un papel relevante en la generación de este síndrome (AU)

The purple urine bag syndrome is a rare entity which typically affects elderly women with prolonged urinary catheterization and weakening chronic diseases. Other predisposing factors are previous urologic pathology, immobility syndrome and chronic constipation. The purple color is due to the presence of high loads of bacteria with sulphatase - phosphatase activity which develop in an alkaline environment as well as the presence of other factors. In the case we present the administration of nutritional supplements containing tryptophan conditioned the generation of this syndrome (AU)

Análisis de la interacción ácido valproico-meropenem en pacientes hospitalizados / Analysis of the valproic acid-meropenem interaction in hospitalised patients

Introducción: Existen referencias en la literatura acerca de la gravedad de la interacción entre el ácido valproico y el meropenem. Sin embargo, las recomendaciones en cuanto a su manejo son contradictorias, recomendándose en algunos estudios la monitorización más estrecha del antiepiléptico si se emplean juntos y en otros contraindicando su uso concomitante. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar la interacción entre el ácido valproico y el meropenem y evaluar el impacto de la intervención farmacéutica sobre la utilización de estos fármacos en pacientes hospitalizados. Material y métodos: Estudio de la prescripción concomitante de ácido valproico y meropenem en un hospital de tercer nivel de 1.080 camas dividido en dos periodos: uno retrospectivo y observacional, el otro prospectivo y con intervención farmacéutica. Se compararon los hábitos de prescripción entre ambos periodos. Resultados: Un total de 26 pacientes recibieron ácido valproico y meropenem simultáneamente (13 en cada periodo), no alcanzando ninguno niveles terapéuticos del antiepiléptico durante el tratamiento. La intervención farmacéutica cambió los hábitos de prescripción, disminuyendo a la mitad los días de tratamiento concomitante, cambiando la antibioterapia y/o monitorizando más estrechamente el antiepiléptico. Conclusiones: La interacción entre el ácido valproico y el meropenem es grave, especialmente por la rapidez con la que disminuyen los niveles del antiepiléptico. Se debe evitar el uso concomitante de ambos fármacos, sustituyendo la antibioterapia de manera empírica o según los patrones de resistencia del microorganismo para mantener el mismo tratamiento anticomicial (AU)

Introduction: Published data demonstrate a serious interaction between valproic acid and meropenem. However, recommendations about the management of concomitant treatment are contradictory; some experts recommend closer monitoring of valproic acid serum concentrations and others recommend avoiding concurrent therapy. The purpose of this study is to critically analyse the interaction and to evaluate the impact of pharmaceutical intervention in the use of these drugs in hospitalised patients. Material and methods: Study of the concomitant prescription of valproic acid and meropenem in a general hospital of 1,080 beds divided in to two periods; the first period was retrospective and observational and it was followed by a prospective period involving pharmaceutical intervention. The prescription habits between both periods were compared. Results: A total of 26 patients received concurrent treatment with valproic acid and meropenem (13 per period) and none of them maintained therapeutic serum levels of the antiepileptic drug. Pharmaceutical intervention modified prescription habits, reducing by half the number of days of concomitant treatment, changing the antibiotherapy and/or monitoring serum concentrations more often. Conclusions: The interaction between valproic acid and meropenem is serious, especially because of the dramatic decrease in the antiepileptic serum concentrations. The concomitant use of both drugs should be avoided, replacing the antibiotherapy empirically, or according to the resistance profiles of the microorganism and maintaining the same the anti-epileptic treatment (AU)

Analisis modal de fallos y efectos del proceso de prescripcion, validacion y dispensacion de medicamentos / Failure modes and effects analysis in the prescription, validation and dispensing process

Objetivo Aplicacion de un analisis modal de fallos y efectos al proceso de prescripcion, validacion y dispensacion de medicamentos en pacientes hospitalizados. Metodos Un grupo de trabajo analizo los pasos que componian el proceso desde la prescripcion medica hasta la dispensacion, identificandose los mas criticos y estableciendo los modos potenciales de fallo que podrian producir un error. Se analizaron posibles causas, sus efectos potenciales y los sistemas de control existentes para prevenir su aparicion. Se calculo el Hazard Score, seleccionandose los que tenian una puntuacion (..) (AU)

Objective To apply a failure modes and effects analysis to the prescription, validation and dispensing process for hospitalised patients. Methods A work group analysed all of the stages included in the process from prescription to dispensing, identifying the most critical errors and establishing potential failure modes which could produce a mistake. The possible causes, their potential effects, and the existing control systems were analysed to try and stop them from developing. The Hazard Score was calculated, choosing those that were ≥ 8, and a Severity Index = 4 was selected independently of the hazard Score value. Corrective measures and an implementation plan were proposed. Results A flow diagram that describes the whole process was obtained. A risk analysis was conducted of the chosen critical points, indicating: failure mode, cause, effect, severity, probability, Hazard Score, suggested preventative measure and strategy to achieve so. Failure modes chosen: Prescription on the nurse's form; progress or treatment order (paper); Prescription to incorrect patient; Transcription error by nursing staff and pharmacist; Error preparing the trolley. Conclusions By applying a failure modes and effects analysis to the prescription, validation and dispensing process, we have been able to identify critical aspects, the stages in which errors may occur and the causes. It has allowed us to analyse the effects on the safety of the process, and establish measures to prevent or reduce them (AU)

[Failure modes and effects analysis in the prescription, validation and dispensing process]. / Análisis modal de fallos y efectos del proceso de prescripción, validación y dispensación de medicamentos.

OBJECTIVE: To apply a failure modes and effects analysis to the prescription, validation and dispensing process for hospitalised patients. METHODS: A work group analysed all of the stages included in the process from prescription to dispensing, identifying the most critical errors and establishing potential failure modes which could produce a mistake. The possible causes, their potential effects, and the existing control systems were analysed to try and stop them from developing. The Hazard Score was calculated, choosing those that were ≥ 8, and a Severity Index = 4 was selected independently of the hazard Score value. Corrective measures and an implementation plan were proposed. RESULTS: A flow diagram that describes the whole process was obtained. A risk analysis was conducted of the chosen critical points, indicating: failure mode, cause, effect, severity, probability, Hazard Score, suggested preventative measure and strategy to achieve so. Failure modes chosen: Prescription on the nurse's form; progress or treatment order (paper); Prescription to incorrect patient; Transcription error by nursing staff and pharmacist; Error preparing the trolley. CONCLUSIONS: By applying a failure modes and effects analysis to the prescription, validation and dispensing process, we have been able to identify critical aspects, the stages in which errors may occur and the causes. It has allowed us to analyse the effects on the safety of the process, and establish measures to prevent or reduce them.

[Purple urine bag syndrome in elderly woman with nutritional supplements]. / Síndrome de la orina morada en bolsa en paciente anciana con suplementos nutricionales.

The purple urine bag syndrome is a rare entity which typically affects elderly women with prolonged urinary catheterization and weakening chronic diseases. Other predisposing factors are previous urologic pathology, immobility syndrome and chronic constipation. The purple color is due to the presence of high loads of bacteria with sulphatase--phosphatase activity which develop in an alkaline environment as well as the presence of other factors. In the case we present the administration of nutritional supplements containing tryptophan conditioned the generation of this syndrome.