Ask Dr Nerenberg | Health and Fitness

Hospital case study – Finding it hard to please help. Thanks in advance?

A woman with a medical history of epilepsy was hospitalized and started on IV fluids for gastrointestinal complications. A jejunostomy was performed to facilitate the feeding and administration of medications phenytoin oral and oral liquid. Complications and the patient was started total parenteral nutrition. His orders were changed to orders IV. About two weeks later a nurse who had previously given oral medication for the patient prepared two IV drugs and had found them. The nurse obtains liquid oral phenytoin, 5 ml measured in a cup and then took a syringe. She administers the medication to the patient, such as fluid phenytoin orally via central venous catheter (CVC). The patient complained of pain at the injection site and began retching before losing consciousness. Staff began the resuscitation, but the woman could not be resuscitated. What do you think could be contributing factors to the error? Preventions for the error

OK, so what's the problem? First, never pour an intravenous medication, one (non-sterile) cup of developing into a needle. Would prepared in a container for the withdrawal of the needle and a vial. Must be sterile! Hospitals know that the preparation of these drugs in a pharmacy setting in the bags IV Piggy Back ready to administer. The rule of giving medications to prevent errors is RIGHTS.You FIVE always go over them as he prepares to give medicine to a patient. Patient Medication Right, Right, Right dose, right route at the right time. This could not happen and to present this problem. I can not imagine any licensee to do this. Maybe that's why the average age of nurses in the United States is 47. It is serious business! It's hard work. That's why you need someone strong and courageous and will ask you to run interference if you go to a hospital.

Parenteral Administration Demo and Discussion, Part 1