Bridging the Gap: Towards a Safer Medication Use Process

Abstract

Due to increasing concern about medication safety since the publication of the 1999 Institute of Medicine Report, the Medical Safety Committee of Broward General Medical Center evaluated prescribing practices for inpatient admissions during a 2-week period. Criteria were consistent with nationally recognized guidelines for safe prescribing practices that included the avoidance of specific abbreviations and other problematic prescribing habits. The results of the use evaluation were presented to all medical staff committees and other key groups as identified by the executive medical council. The safety group identified three key improvements: the prohibition of the abbreviation “U” for units, the use of a leading zero for dosages that require a decimal point, and the absence of a trailing zero for dosages that do not require a decimal. Educational programs were conducted to increase awareness of the targeted safety criteria, and the outcomes of this education were measured. Significant improvement resulted for both of the targeted criteria (abbreviation of “U” for units and leading/trailing zeros). The abbreviation of “units” decreased from 11% to 1%, whereas unsafe use of leading/trailing zeros decreased from 4% to 0.5%.