Implementing improvements in medication safety through a multidisciplinary working group

Abstract

In the framework of the Quality Improvement Plan, a multidisciplinary working group on drug use improvement was created. The group was formed by three physicians from different specialities, two nurses, a pharmacist, a pharmacy technician and the coordinator of quality and patient safety. The work of the group was focused on improving the use of high risk medications in the hospital setting. The implementation of some of the improvements through the computerised physician order entry system was also considered. In the first 18 months of work, the group, in collaboration with other professionals and diverse departments of the hospital, implemented several improvements in drug safety: maxim dose alerts in electronic prescription, standardisation of dilution and dosages for intravenous high risk drugs, use of premixed solutions of potassium chloride, insulin protocols for electronic prescription in medical and surgical patients and emergency drug guidelines. The group has been extremely efficient in putting into practice protocols, procedures and guidelines for high risk medications with consensus and in a relatively short time.