admin September 3rd, 2007
The National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) has issued a rapid response report Risk of confusion between non-lipid and lipid formulations of injectable amphotericin.
The National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) is alerting all healthcare staff involved in the use of intravenous amphotericin of the potentially lethal results if non-lipid and lipid formulations of the drug are confused. These different formulations are used for the treatment of systemic fungal infections. The NPSA is aware of two recent deaths and a number of near misses reported to the National Reporting and Learning System (NRLS) and other similar incidents internationally.
admin May 9th, 2007
The WHO have launched their nine steps to safety to combat healthcare-related injuries.
- Look-alike, sound-alike medication names;
- patient identification;
- communication during patient hand-overs;
- performance of correct procedure at correct body site;
- control of concentrated electrolyte solutions;
- assuring medication accuracy at transitions in care;
- avoiding catheter and tubing misconnections;
- single use of injection devices; and
- improved hand hygiene to prevent health care-associated infection.
Press release here.
admin October 28th, 2004
Janssen and Johnson & Johnson have become aware of several reports of medications errors arising out of confusion between Reminyl (galantamine) and Amaryl (glimepiride). Several of these events have led to hypoglycaemia with one death.
Dear Healthcare Professional letter