Report Suspected Adverse Drug Reactions

Chapter 7_ Adversed Drug Reactions and Medication Errors Learning Objectives 1. Describe types of medication errors, causes of medication errors, ways to reduce medication errors, and ways to report medication errors. ● Types of medication errors include mistakes in prescribing, dispensing, or administering medications. Causes of medication errors include confusion, lack of communication, and incorrect dosage calculations. Ways to reduce medication errors include implementing safety measures, improving communication, and using technology. Medication errors should be promptly reported to ensure proper action is taken. Chapter 7 Reading In Chapter 7, the significance of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and medication errors is discussed. A rise in ADRs was observed, with over 800,000 outpatients and 1,735,500 hospitalized inpatients experiencing adverse outcomes. Medication errors, which can lead to ADRs, are also explored, including their definitions, causes, and ways to minimize them. Bullet points Report suspected adverse drug reactions: ● ● ● Report the effect to MEDWATCH, the FDA Medical Products Reporting Program File a report online at www.fda.gov/medwatch Report all suspected adverse drug reactions, even if absolute proof of the drug's involvement has not been established Medication Guides (MedGuides) ● ● ● ● Created by the FDA to educate patients about potentially dangerous drugs Provide important information about drug use, potential side effects, and precautions Required when patient adherence is essential or patients need to know about potentially serious effects Used to minimize harm and promote patient safety Responsibilities in reducing adverse drug reactions (ADRs) ● ● ● ● ● Shared responsibility among patients, prescribers, pharmacists, and pharmaceutical industry Pharmaceutical industry should strive to produce safe medicines Prescribers should select the least harmful medicine for each patient Nurses should educate patients and evaluate for ADRs Patients and their families should watch for signs of ADRs and seek medical attention if needed Components of MedGuides ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Standard format with main headings: - What is the most important information about the drug? - What is the drug and its indications? - Who should not take the drug? - How should the drug be taken? - What should be avoided while taking the drug? - What are the possible side effects of the drug? - General information about safe and effective use of prescription drugs Individualizing therapy and minimizing ADRs ● ● ● ● Prescribers should consider the risks and benefits of a drug for each patient Drugs with potential harm to a specific patient should be avoided Monitoring organ function may be required for drugs toxic to the liver, kidneys, or bone marrow Adverse effects can be reduced by monitoring for signs of organ damage and adjusting therapy Special considerations ● ● MedGuides should be provided with prescriptions and drug samples Prescribers may withhold MedGuides under special circumstances ● For example, if the information in the Guide may deter a patient from taking a lifesaving drug Types of Medication Errors ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Wrong patient Wrong drug Wrong route Wrong time Wrong dose Omitted dose Wrong dosage form Wrong diluent Wrong strength/concentration Wrong infusion rate Wrong technique (includes inappropriate crushing of tablets) Deteriorated drug error (dispensing a drug after its expiration date) Wrong duration of treatment (continuing too long or stopping too soon) Medication errors and their impact ● ● ● Medication errors injure approximately 1.3 million people each year Medication errors can cause direct harm from dangerous toxic effects or indirect harm through failure to adequately treat an illness Researchers estimate that medication errors cause over 400,000 deaths annually in the United States Financial costs of drug administration errors: ● ● ● ● Overdose: 36.4% of errors Wrong drug alone: 16.2% of errors Wrong route: 9.5% of errors Treatment of drug-related injuries costs about $3.5 billion a year