Key result
Nearly one in four UK obstetric units reported experience of wrong route drug errors related to confusion between intravenous and regional drug administration systems.
Why the study?
What is the current compliance with safe practice for epidural analgesia in UK obstetric units?
Cross-Sectional
Yes
What is the current compliance with safe practice for epidural analgesia in UK obstetric units?
A national survey in the UK revealed that nearly a quarter of obstetric units have experienced wrong route drug errors due to confusion between IV and regional administration systems.
Indicates ongoing wrong-route risks in obstetric anaesthesia; leaves open whether current guidelines ensure safe epidural compliance.
The National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) identified practice improvements with regard to epidural injections and infusions and released a patient safety alert on 28th March 2007. Prior to this, the Obstetric Anaesthetists' Association had considered the draft document and wished to assess current compliance in UK obstetric units. A postal survey of consultant-led obstetric anaesthetic units in the UK was performed in September 2006 to look at practice prior to the release of the safety alert. The response rate was 89%. Many units are already following the guidance from the NPSA but nearly one in four units have experience of wrong route drug errors related to confusion between systems for intravenous and regional drug administration.
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Jones et al. (2008) conducted a cross-sectional in Obstetric epidural analgesia practice. Safe practice with epidural analgesia was evaluated on Compliance with NPSA guidance and experience of wrong route drug errors. Nearly one in four UK obstetric units reported experience of wrong route drug errors related to confusion between intravenous and regional drug administration systems.
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