Errors in prescribing and administration of intravenous anti-infective therapy and preventability by smart pump technology

Conclusions Errors happened frequently with the use of standard infusion devices. Errors in terms of non-adherence to protocols/guidelines were the most common and administration was identified as the stage in the medication-use process that is most susceptible to errors. The most severe errors were those likely to be reduced by the implementation of smart pump technology. Factors other than technology have to be emphasized as well, e.g. standardization of doctors' and nurses' practices on the wards in order to reduce errors in the future.
Source: Journal of Patient Safety and Infection Control - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research