COMO CALCULAR O CUSTO DE TECNOLOGIAS QUE PREVINEM OS ERROS DE MEDICAÇÃO

Objetivo: Relatar a experiência de desenvolvimento de uma metodologia para o cálculo do custo de tecnologias que previnem o erro de medicação em uma instituição hospitalar. Método: Estudo descritivo, do tipo relato de experiência, que descreve uma metodologia desenvolvida para o cálculo do custo de tecnologias que previnem o erro de medicação em instituição hospitalar. Resultados: As tecnologias foram classificadas em leve, leve-dura e dura. Para o cálculo do custo, foi aplicado método de custeio direto, utilizando as variáveis de mão de obra e materiais e/ou equipamentos utilizados para o uso dessas tecnologias. Após cálculo de cada variável individualmente, estas foram somadas obtendo-se os custos das tecnologias preventivas. Conclusões: O conhecimento do método de cálculo desse custo proporciona uma visão real do investimento, auxiliando a tomada de decisão do gestor, e incentivo à prevenção do erro de medicação. HOW TO CALCULATE TECHNOLOGY COST TO PREVENT MEDICATION ERROS ABSTRACT Purpose: To report the experience in the development of a methodology in order to calculate the cost of technology that prevents medication error in a hospital institution. Method: Descriptive study, a case report format, describing a methodology developed to calculate the cost of technology in order to prevent medication error in a hospital institution. Results: Technologies were classified as soft, soft-hard and hard. Direct costing method was applied with a view to calculate the cost by using labor variables and/or equipment for the use of those technologies. Thereafter the calculation of each variable, they were summed and it was possible to obtain the cost of preventive technologies. Conclusion: Awareness about calculation method provides a real overview of the investment; it benefits the manager’s decision taking and encourages the medication error prevention. Descriptors: Patient’s safety. Medication erros. Cost and cost analyses. Investiments in health. Economy and Nursing.

Accuracy of Discriminating between Similar Drug Names by Nurses: Effect of Finger-pointing on Error Prevention

Discriminating between similar drug names accurately is important in order to prevent medication error. To facilitate accurate discrimination, performing finger-pointing toward drug names to recognize them is recommended in Japan for healthcare workers. We investigate whether nurses would accurately recognize the difference between target and similar drug names and whether finger-pointing would lead to error prevention for drug names by using a choice reaction time task. Participants observed six drug names with or without pointing with the index finger and determined as quickly and accurately as possible whether the target drug name was present. Targets were real drug names, although distractors were pseudo names so as to strictly manipulate the degree of similarity. The results showed that error rates were significantly higher for nurses than for students. Due to their familiarity with the drug names, the nurses could misrecognize the pseudo words as target drug names when a quick response was requested. We also found that nurses did not receive a benefit from finger-pointing. Moreover, finger-pointing may have been inadequate to lead to accurate recognition of complex stimuli, such as drug names.

Awareness of Medication Error, Medication Management and Prevention among Staff Nurses in IMS &Sum Hospital, Odisha

Aims: The study aimed to assess the knowledge of staff nurses about medication error, prevention of medication error and its management. Background: Accomplishment of medical order and medication administration are the prominent part of nurse's job. Methods: A descriptive approach was under taken and data was collected in the month of March and April, 2014, from 100 staff nurses of IMS & SUM HOSPITAL. Results: A significant proportion of staff nurses (39%) believed that carefully reading of instruction and labeling of the drug before administrating can prevent medication error followed by heavy workload and high nurse/patient ratio(16%) and insufficient work experience(11%)due to huge turnover were mostly cited by nurses to prevent medication error. Conclusion: Medication administration is the basic function of nurse. So the nurses should be well equipped with skill and knowledge needed for error free medication. Implications for nursing management: Error free medication administration process requires a continuous educational initiative on medication error with regards to prevention of medication error and its reporting and the short-term course on medication error should be added in orientation class by every health care organization.