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SAFETY
ing errors.
• Pre-made labels. Pre-made labels should be formatted reflective of the
requirements of the Joint Commission and AORN recommendations. Made
of a moisture- and smear-resistant polyester material that won't tear or fall
off even if they get wet, premade labels should provide proper nomenclature, medication dose and concentration to prevent errors resulting from
illegible handwriting and deviation from standard protocols. Safe label systems (tinyurl.com/b8pmvdl) are also available to print labels with bar codes
for electronic documentation that are adhered to the syringe. This can save
time for charge capture and prevent medication errors by using clear, preprinted labels. Yet another option is to use an automated dispensing cabinet
that generates a patient-specific, printed label containing all the necessary
identifying information at the time you remove the item from the cabinet.
• Ready-to-use and premixed medications. Ready-to-use forms of
medications are sterile preparations that can help prevent errors. These
medications can be commercially prepared or produced in-house depending upon the preferences of the institution. Pre-mixed medications and
mixed patient-specific medications help avoid preparation errors. Your
pharmacist can prepare these items upon request.
• Pre-filled syringes. They can prevent medication errors, enhance
medication safety and decrease drug waste. You can also prepare pre-filled
syringes in-house. Labels for pre-drawn syringes must have the date, time
and initials of the preparer in addition to the name and strength of medications contained within.
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O U T PAT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | J A N U A R Y 2013
