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Several labeling solutions help ensure that staff administer the cor-
rect medications. Technology that generates labels containing
required dosing information from the bar codes on drug vials is a
good way to ensure labels are clear and accurate. Pre-printed, color-
coded labels have a standardized look, contain required information
and are easy to identify on the sterile field. Color-coded labels are a
step in the right direction, but individual drugs in the same class can
still have very different properties. Selecting the wrong beta-agonist,
opioid or presser agent can still have devastating consequences, for
example, so review color-coded labels to be sure you're administering
the correct drug.
•
Storage.
Never store look-alike and sound-alike medications or
medications that come in various strengths next to each other, and
never store drugs
alphabetically.
Epinephrine and
ephedrine are often
stored next to each
other, which creates
the possibility of a
potentially fatal mix-
up.
Anesthesia trays are
filled with many vials
standing upright. You
might find several dif-
ferent-colored dust
caps in a single bin
because the drugs are
produced by 3 different
P A T I E N T S A F E T Y
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