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CS96
Just Say “No” To Drug Errors In The Surgical Intensive Care Unit
By: Castillo, M; Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA
For further information, please contact: malouvc@u.washington.edu
Purpose: Adequate knowledge of vasoactive drugs is vital to safe clinical practice. However, Intensive Care Unit nurses face the unattainable challenge of remembering all of the information about each vasoactive medication. Inadequate knowledge may lead to adverse drug incidences that are often preventable.
Description: In an effort to prevent drug errors, a concise vasoactive drug chart was designed to serve as a quick reference in drug administration. The chart listed frequently used vasoactive drugs in the Intensive Care Units by both generic and brand name. It included the facility’s standard concentration, rate at which to start an infusion, dose ranges including maximum dose, indications, precautions and titration parameters. The unit pharmacist and the medical director reviewed and approved the information. After this review, the chart was laminated and posted on the counter in each patient’s room, making it readily available for nurses working on the unit to use as reference.
Evaluation/Outcomes: The Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) nurses and the nurses who floated to the unit felt more confident administering and titrating vasoactive drugs. More novice nurses claimed that the chart served as a much quicker reference than looking at the reference books or computerized resources. This can be too cumbersome and time consuming in critical situations when time is better spent on patient care. With the information written out, the chart guides the nurse on the dosage, indications, side effects and what parameters to consider. Nurses who have floated to the SICU requested copies of the drug chart. So far, no vasoactive drugs errors have been reported since the chart became available. The plan is to update, review and add drugs as they come into use to keep the quick reference current.
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