Researchers at University Health Network in Canada have developed a bar-coding medication verification process to reduce drug error rates, according to an Anesthesiology News report.
The system was implemented at all 20 operating rooms at Toronto General Hospital in Jan. 2010, and anesthesiologists were given the option to use or not use the system. The process required the anesthesiologist to scan every drug ampoule and syringe label for accuracy verification during drug dispensing, premixing, administration and documentation. Two weeks after implementation, all anesthesiologists had adopted the new process, and five months later, the system had been used for more than 60,000 drug doses.
All anesthesiologists were surveyed about their satisfaction with the system and errors that had been intercepted by the system during the five-month window. Twenty-one of the 41 survey respondents reported 29 medication errors that were intercepted by scanning, and 97 percent of anesthesiologists liked the system.
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The system was implemented at all 20 operating rooms at Toronto General Hospital in Jan. 2010, and anesthesiologists were given the option to use or not use the system. The process required the anesthesiologist to scan every drug ampoule and syringe label for accuracy verification during drug dispensing, premixing, administration and documentation. Two weeks after implementation, all anesthesiologists had adopted the new process, and five months later, the system had been used for more than 60,000 drug doses.
All anesthesiologists were surveyed about their satisfaction with the system and errors that had been intercepted by the system during the five-month window. Twenty-one of the 41 survey respondents reported 29 medication errors that were intercepted by scanning, and 97 percent of anesthesiologists liked the system.
Related Articles on Anesthesia:
Conscious Sedation Effective for Ambulatory Spine Procedures
Dr. Ricardo Leano Named Site Director for Ramapo Anesthesia at New York's Catskill Regional Medical Center
Anesthesiologist Dr. Kenneth Elmassian Praises ASA for Work on Drug Shortages