Effects of patient-, environment and medication-related factors on high-alert medication incidents

Abstract

Objective: To measure the rate of medication incidents associated with the prescription and administration of high-alert medications and to identify patient-, environment- and medication-related factors associated with these incidents. Design. A retrospective chart audit design was conducted of medical records for patient admissions from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2010. Setting: Five practice settings (cardiac care, emergency care, intensive care, oncology care and perioperative care) at a public teaching hospital in Melbourne, Australia. Participants: Patients were considered for inclusion if they were prescribed at least one high-alert medication and if they were admitted to one of five..