NEW: SAFERsleep reduces drug error by 35% Ref 12
A new publication demonstrates an association between the use of SAFERsleep System and a 35% relative reduction in the incidence in anaesthetic drug administration error (p=002).
In a prospective controlled facilitated incident monitoring study of 59,273 responses from 74,478 anaesthetics (79.6%) at two hospitals, the incidence of self-reported anaesthetic drug error was recorded. Case mix data were collected and the number of drug administrations made during procedures estimated. 10,816 anaesthetics were given with the SAFERsleep system and 63,662 with conventional methods.
Fewer parenteral drug errors were reported with the new system (SAFERsleep System) than conventional methods with a relative reduction of 35%. Furthermore there were no major adverse outcomes from these errors reported with SAFERsleep compared with 11 reported with conventional methods (p=0.055).
The paper concludes that “targeted system redesign (i.e. SAFERsleep System solution) can reduce medical error”.
Drug Error Prevention
Reviews of the error-prevention literature in anaesthesia find the following interventions are clinically proven in reducing drug error: Ref 7
- Carefully checking vial/ampoule before drawing up or administering drug.
- Optimising syringe label legibility and apply standards, e.g. class colour.
- Labeling syringes.
- Organising drug drawers and workspace in a formal, orderly fashion.
- Managing proximity of similar and dangerous drugs.
- Second person validation of drug before drawing up or administering.
The SAFERsleep System combines a systematic way to layout, label and cross check drugs prior to administration. It adds additional layers of safety to the process of administering anaesthetic drugs.
