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S U P P L E M E N T T O O U T P AT 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 | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 4
vented the devastating 2007 hepatitis C outbreak at the Endoscopy Center of
Southern Nevada in Las Vegas, which occurred when staff repeatedly contami-
nated single-dose vials of propofol by using them as multi-dose vials. Also, if
propofol ever becomes a controlled drug, there will
be less waste, less time and fewer resources spent
witnessing its disposal.
Which of the drugs pictured
is the generic form of Dilaudid?
a.
hydromorphone
b.
morphine sulfate
Answer:
a
These look-alike, sound-alike drugs have been responsible for a disproportion-
ate number of errors and some tragic results. In fact, the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services lists this mixup as one of the top 10 causing patient
harm. Not only do the names sound alike, but some caregivers erroneously
assume hydromorphone is the generic form of morphine. In fact, hydromor-
phone is up to 10 times more potent than morphine sulfate on a mg to mg basis.
Preservative-free medications
are indicated for multiple uses.
a.
true
b.
false
Answer:
b
Preservative-free medications are always single-use. There's no valid excuse for
administering single-dose medications to multiple patients. Buying medications
in single-dose units is preferred, but when using multiple-use containers, wipe
M E D I C A T I O N S A F E T Y
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