Strumenti per facilitare il processo decisionale sulla modalità di somministrazione di infusioni in contemporanea in setting intensivi: un’esperienza italiana
Autori
Summary. Introduction
No care setting is free from medication errors. However, several studies show higher percentages in Intensive Care, where the clinical intensity and care complexity of the hospitalized person are particularly complexed. Patient in an Intensive Care Units is a critical person, who generally takes more drugs, mainly intravenously. The aim of this study is to standardize the methods of administration of the most frequently administered drugs in an Italian Intensive Care Unit
Materials and methods
Ad hoc creation of a Poster and Tables for cardiological drugs and antibiotics in order to facilitate the decision making process on how to administer infusions at the same time.
Results
Implemented interventions included: (1) developing a Poster for nurses; (2) providing tabletop displays for nurses in each bed units of an Italian Intensive Care Units. Poster considers 76 drugs. For each molecule are reported the main information in terms of dosage, diluent, dilution mode, therapeutic indications and any compatibility or incompatibility with other molecules. The Tables, containing cardiological drugs and antibiotics, give more information about indications, dosage, contraindications, side effects, method of administration and storage of the different molecules.
Conclusions
Through a satisfaction questionnaire of the staff who used the instruments, the Poster and the Tables facilitate the decision-making process and administration of intravenous infusions in the Intensive Care Unit. However, it would be desirable to export and deepen the usability of these instruments at national and international level.
Key words
Medication errors, pharmacology safety, incompatibility, Intensive Care Unit.
