Perioperative Medication Error Prevention

Abstract

To describe the incidence and types of perioperative medication errors and adverse medication events, and to provide a summary of strategies to reduce their incidence. Between 4 and 11% of perioperative medications administered may involve a medication error. Methods for detecting medication errors include incident reporting, chart review, direct observation (which is the most sensitive) and engineering modeling techniques. While a paucity of evidence exists to support recommendations to prevent medication errors, consensus recommendations involve process standardization, technology solutions, pharmacy solutions, and fostering an institutional culture of safety. While medication errors in the operating room are common, they are difficult to identify and measure. Most recommendations to prevent them are based on expert consensus. Future research should focus on randomized controlled trials to test whether the recommended strategies prevent medication errors.