@article{859,
  keywords = {anesthetics, infusion pumps, medication errors, medication systems, patient safety, syringes},
  author = {T Bowdle and S Jelacic and B Nair and K Togashi and K Caine and L Bussey and C Kruger and R Grieve and D Grieve and C Webster and A Merry},
  title = {Facilitated self-reported anaesthetic medication errors before and after implementation of a safety bundle and barcode-based safety system.},
  abstract = {<p><b>BACKGROUND: </b>Anaesthetic medication administration errors are a significant threat to patient safety. In 2002, we began collecting data about the rate and nature of anaesthetic medication errors and implemented a variety of measures to reduce errors.</p><p><b>METHODS: </b>Facilitated self-reporting of errors was carried out in 2002-2003. Subsequently, a medication safety bundle including 'smart' infusion pumps were implemented. During 2014 facilitated self-reporting commenced again. A barcode-based medication safety system was then implemented and the facilitated self-reporting was continued through 2015.</p><p><b>RESULTS: </b>During 2002-2003, a total of 11 709 paper forms were returned. There were 73 reports of errors (0.62% of anaesthetics) and 27 reports of intercepted errors (0.23%). During 2014, 14 572 computerised forms were completed. There were 57 reports of errors (0.39%) and 11 reports of intercepted errors (0.075%). Errors associated with medication infusions were reduced in comparison with those recorded in 2002-2003 (P<0.001). The rate of syringe swap error was also reduced (P=0.001). The reduction in error rate between 2002-2003 and 2014 was statistically significant (P=0.0076 and P=0.001 for errors and intercepted errors, respectively). From December 2014 through December 2015, 24 264 computerised forms were completed after implementation of a barcode-based medication safety system. There were 56 reports of errors (0.23%) and six reports of intercepted errors (0.025%). Vial swap errors in 2014-2015 were significantly reduced compared with those in 2014 (P=0.004). The reduction in error rate after implementation of the barcode-based medication safety system was statistically significant (P=0.0045 and P=0.021 for errors and intercepted errors, respectively).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS: </b>Reforms intended to reduce medication errors were associated with substantial improvement.</p>},
  year = {2018},
  journal = {British journal of anaesthesia},
  volume = {121},
  pages = {1338-1345},
  month = {12/2018},
  issn = {1471-6771},
  doi = {10.1016/j.bja.2018.09.004},
  language = {eng},
}