EMCrit Podcast Podcast 101 – Avoiding Resuscitation Medication Errors – Part I
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Jun 23, 2013 Bryan Hayes, a seasoned pharmacologist and toxicologist with expertise in emergency resuscitation, joins to tackle critical medication errors in resuscitation settings. They delve into the frequency of these errors, particularly with tPA and epinephrine, highlighting common pitfalls and advocating for standardized protocols. The conversation moves to innovative solutions like EpiPens and the feasibility of continuous epinephrine infusions for anaphylaxis. Bryan also discusses the impact of drug shortages on emergency care, providing insights valuable for healthcare professionals.
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Errors Are Common In Medical Emergencies
- Resuscitation medication errors are common and underrecognized in emergencies.
- A single tertiary center found 296 medication errors in 50 patients during emergencies.
Full Alteplase Given By Mistake
- A team once administered the full alteplase dose instead of stopping at the bolus and the patient received 140 mg.
- Fortunately the patient did not have a major bleeding complication, but the error highlighted mixing/dosing risk.
Use Drip Sheets Not Mental Math
- Use weight-based drip sheets and checklists instead of mental calculations during acute medication preparation.
- Give staff a prepared sheet that lists exact dose and mixing instructions to reduce errors.