Chemotherapy medication errors
Keywords:
Medication errors, Hospital Oncology Department, Oncology pharmaceutical care, ChemotherapyAbstract
Objectives: To describe and classify the medication errors that occurred during a 6 months period in oncology, hematology and pediatrics.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a 6 month time period sample. The formulations selected were evaluated and classified according to error type, and the existence of patient-related effects were verified in the clinical notes.
Findings: A total of 440 formulations were reviewed and 54 errors (12.3%) were identified, with the most frequent being related to prescription. The severity of these errors was potentially harmful. A total of 17 adverse events were identified in patients, and were not associated with deaths or disabilities. Cyclophosphamide, trastuzumab, dexamethasone, among others, were associated with most errors.
Discussion: The overall error rate found is comparable with those in the world literature. Despite the complexity of the prescription, these errors remain avoidable, but a prevention program is needed that focuses on educational activities with participation by specialists, pharmaceutical chemists, nurses, as well as patients.
Author Biographies
José Alexander Carreño Dueñas, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología
Grupo de Investigación Clínica, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Bogotá, D.C., Colombia
Jesús Oswaldo Sánchez, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología
Grupo de Oncología clínica, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Bogotá, D.C., Colombia
Carlos Daniel Bermúdez Silva, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología
Grupo de Hematología, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Bogotá, D.C., Colombia
Mauricio Mesa, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología
Grupo de Pediatría Oncológica, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Bogotá, D.C., Colombia
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