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Reduce Adverse Drug Events (ADEs) Involving Narcotics and Sedatives:
Use Only One Model of Pump for Administering Narcotics and Sedatives

Different manufacturers’ pumps for administration of medications in solution, and even different model pumps from the same manufacturer are set up very differently. They may look different, have different features, or have the same features but located in different places or set differently. Visual displays and alarm features usually vary as well. Having more than one model of pump in use in a health care organization increases the chances that staff will confuse the pumps and make an error in setting the flow rate for administration of a drug in solution or troubleshooting the pump when there is a problem. Since flow rate affects dosage received by the patient, setting the wrong flow rate can result in an overdose or underdose, which can lead to a severe adverse drug event. To reduce the risk of such error, select only one model and standardize it across the organization. That way, staff can become familiar with all of the features and settings of the pump and avoid errors.


Tips
  • Involve staff in the selection of the pump to be used, since they are the ones who will have to work with it every day.
  • Look for pumps that have safety features and take human factors into account during design.