Abstract
A cross-sectional survey was designed to study look-alike, sound-alike (LASA) drugs in hospitals in Thailand. The questionnaires were developed and mailed to 1,380 hospitals throughout Thailand. The return rate was 11.16% or 154 hospitals, consisting of 5 tertiary hospitals (3.25%), 3 university hospitals (1.95%), 16 secondary hospitals (10.39%), 96 primary hospitals (62.34%), 26 private hospitals (16.88%) and 8 others (5.20%). A total of 5,327 pairs of drugs were identified as LASA drugs, including 3,695 tablets/capsules (Ranitidine-Roxithromycin pair in the highest frequency), 944 injections (Diazepam-Furosemide pair in the highest frequency), 307 liquid dosage forms (Alum milk-Milk of magnesia pair in the highest frequency), 367 external drugs (0.02% Triamcinolone cream and 0.1% Triamcinolone cream pair in the highest frequency) and 14 pairs of chemotherapeutic agents. This LASA report could be integrated into a suitable program used in hospitals in order to identify and prevent medication errors in the future. Key words: Look-alike, sound-alike, look-alike, sound-alike (LASA), hospital, Thailand.
Highlights
The confusion of similar drug names is one of the most common causes of medication errors worldwide that threatens patients’ safety (WHO, 2007a; Lambert et al, 2001, 1999; Basco et al, 2010; Phatak et al, 2005)
More than 33,000 trademarked and 8,000 nonproprietary medication names were reported in the United States alone in 2004, and an estimated 24,000 therapeutic health products were reported in the Canadian market (WHO, 2007a)
On June 2011, the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) (2011a, b) reported a listing of confusing drug names involved in medication errors that were reported through the ISMP National Medication Errors Reporting Program (ISMP MERP) (ISMP, 2011a)
Summary
The confusion of similar drug names is one of the most common causes of medication errors worldwide that threatens patients’ safety (WHO, 2007a; Lambert et al, 2001, 1999; Basco et al, 2010; Phatak et al, 2005). With tens of thousands of drugs currently available, both of brandname and generic in the market, the potential for medication error due to confusing drug names is significant (WHO, 2007a; The Joint Commission, 2001). Causes of look-alike, sound-alike (LASA) medication errors were identified; and include illegible handwriting, unfamiliarity with drug names, similarity in the spelling and/or pronunciation of drug names, newly available products, similar packaging or labeling, similar clinical use, similar strength, dosage forms, frequency of administration, incorrect selection of a similar name from a computerized product list, and the failure of manufacturers and regulatory authorities to recognize the potential for error and to conduct rigorous risk assessments, both for nonproprietary and brand names, prior to approving new product names (WHO, 2007a; Lambert et al, 2001; McCoy, 2005; Hoffman and Proulx, 2003). The aim of our list is to help healthcare providers and the public to determine which medications require special
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