Recommended strategies to prevent drug administration errors:
(1) The label on all drug ampoules or containers should be carefully read before the drug is drawn up.
(2) The label on all drug ampoules or containers should be checked by a second person before the drug is drawn up.
(3) The label on all syringes should be carefully read before the drug is administered.
(4) The label on a syringe should be checked by a second person or a device before the drug is administered.
(5) The legibility and contents of labels on drug containers and syringes should be optimized and standardized.
(6) Syringes should always be labeled.
(7) The organization of drug drawers and workplaces should be standardized.
where:
• Finding a second person to confirm a label could be a challenge. A bar code reader tied to the pharmacy database might be a good alternative.
• Avoiding look-alikes and sound-alikes would also reduce problems.
• If the patient has multiple lines then standardizing and labeling the possible injection sites should be considered.
• If a syringe is drawn up before use, then the syringe should be labeled before or immediately after being drawn.
