This presentation discusses measured improvements in medication safety in the six-hospital CareGroup network in Eastern Massachusetts. Graphs are provided to show the effects of the changes. Four improvements in the ordering of heparin and the management of patients with acute alcohol use are described. Six improvements in the dispensing of medication are described, i.e., in halving the morning backlog of orders, halving missing medications, a reduction of 67% in the use of expired medications in the automated dispensing system, a three-fold increase in information about individual patients' allergies, and a substantial reduction in look-alike/sound-alike errors. Three improvements in medication administration, i.e., in coumadin, patient-controlled analgesia (77% reduction) and epidural use, are discussed. The success factors behind these improvements are identified. See www.meliorconsulting.com
Learning Objectives: 1. Measure improvements in medication safety 2. List the success factors behind these improvements 3. Develop contests among clinicians in their clinical practice to stimulate rapid improvement
Keywords: Drug Safety, Medicine
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: I have a consulting contract with
the CareGroup hospital system.