Occurrence of errors in the preparation and administration of medications in an emergency care unit

Authors

  • Edmila Lucas de Lima Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG), Goiânia, Goiás, Brasil, edmiladelima@gmail.com. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3982-618X
  • Francilisi Brito Guimarães Valente Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde (ESCS), Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brasil, francilisi.valente@escs.edu.br. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3164-9120
  • Adenícia Custódia Silva e Souza Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Goiás (PUC Goiás), Goiânia, Goiás, Brasil, adeniciafen@gmail.com. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2296-3786

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5216/ree.v24.68956

Keywords:

Medication Errors, Patient Safety, Nursing, Team, Emergency Medical Services, Medication Systems, Hospital

Abstract

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.

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Published

2022-06-07

Issue

Section

Original Article