Common Drug Errors
Certain situations or activities can place nurses at high risk for making a drug error. Some of the most common types and causes of errors are highlighted here.
Types of errors
Giving the wrong drug
Giving the wrong dose
Using the wrong diluent
Preparing the wrong concentration
Missing a dose or failing to give an ordered drug
Giving the drug at the wrong time
Administering a drug to which the patient is allergic
Infusing the drug too rapidly
Giving the drug to the wrong patient
Administering the drug by the wrong route
Causes
Failing to identify the patient using two forms of identification
Insufficient knowledge
Chaotic work environment with distractions
Use of floor stock medications
Failure to follow facility policies and procedures
Incorrect preparation or administration techniques
Use of IV solutions that aren't premixed
Failure to verify drug and dosage instructions
Following oral, not written, orders
Inadequate staffing
Typographical errors
Use of acronyms or erroneous abbreviations
Math errors
Poor hand writing
Failure to check dosages for high-risk drugs or pediatric medications
Inadequate drug information
Preparation of the drug in a clinical area instead of the pharmacy
Unlabeled syringes