Avoid Mix-Ups Among Melatonin 0.3 mg, 3 mg, and 5 mg

July 2016

The shift AWAY from using sleep meds (zolpidem, benzos, etc) in the hospital may lead to more melatonin orders for insomnia.

Traditional sleep meds can increase the risk of delirium and falls.

Melatonin is appealing because it seems safer. But it only modestly reduces time to fall asleep...and doesn't improve total sleep time much, either.

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Table of Contents

Patient Safety Look for Ways to Improve Your Workflow With Technology
Anticoagulants Avoid Mix-Ups Between Argatroban and Aggrastat
Transitions of Care Document Oral Liquid Doses in Milligrams, Not Just Milliliters, On Med Histories
Medication Errors Stay Alert for a Patient Name That's Another Patient's Name in Reverse
Cystic Fibrosis Avoid Common Labeling Mistakes With Antibiotics for Cystic Fibrosis Patients
Blood Pressure Encourage Nurses to Reorder Antihypertensive Drips in Plenty of Time
Med Safety Notify Your Pharmacist About Dosing Devices That Have Nonmetric Units
Opioids Don't Be Surprised If Xtampza ER is Given By Feeding Tube
Drugs of Abuse Report Suspected Loperamide Misuse to FDA's MedWatch Program
New Generics Separate Metoprolol Strengths on Pharmacy Shelves to Reduce Errors
Insomnia Avoid Mix-Ups Among Melatonin 0.3 mg, 3 mg, and 5 mg
Insulin Alert Your Pharmacist if a Patient Has Orders for Both Lantus and Toujeo
Communication Let Nurses Know You're Working as a Team