Taking Aim at Infusion Confusion

Describes a project that took a systems approach to reducing drug infusion-related error.

Burdeu G, Crawford R, van de Vreede M, McCann J. Taking aim at infusion confusion. J Nurs Care Qual. 2006; 21(2):151-159.

A comprehensive multidisciplinary approach was used to improve drug infusion safety in an acute care hospital in Melbourne, Australia. This project aimed to reduce the potential for drug infusion-related error, improve drug infusion safety for patients, and encourage incident reporting to inform and guide continuous quality improvement projects. The project applied a systems approach to medication safety, using redesign strategies such as continuous quality improvement (plan, do, study, and act) and re-engineering. Key safety design concepts such as standardization, simplification, and forcing functions were also used.