Prevent Mix-Ups Due to Similar Vial Sizes, Label Colors, or Drug Names in the OR

June 2016

Patients often get multiple infusions and injections during surgery...withOUT double checks from pharmacists, bar-code scanners, etc.

There's one error for every 20 meds administered in the operating room (OR). And about one-third of these cause patient harm.

Use these strategies to prevent med mishaps in the OR.

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Table of Contents

Storage & Disposal Put Waste in the Right Colored Bin
Surgery Prevent Mix-Ups Due to Similar Vial Sizes, Label Colors, or Drug Names in the OR
Antimicrobial Stewardship Expedite Delivery of Antibiotic First Doses
Cardiology Avoid Mix-Ups Between Cardizem and Cardene
Nutrition Alert Your Pharmacist if Feeding Tube Patients Have Orders With ORAL Route
Look-Alike/Sound-Alike Expect Trintellix Tabs to Look Identical to Original Brintellix
Medication Errors Use Shelf Tags and Dividers to Cut the Chance for "Depo-" Med Mishaps
New Drugs Handle Viberzi Like Other Schedule IV Meds
Neurology & Pain Double-Check the Dosage Form on Topical Lidocaine Orders
Rheumatoid Arthritis Avoid Misplacing a Patient's Own Supply of Xeljanz
Medication Errors Stay Alert for Duplicate Therapy at Transitions of Care
Med Administration Use a Filter When Prepping Doses of Ambisome, Kcentra, or Reopro