• Generically list all drugs alphabetically
• Place the "trade name" in parenthesis after the generic name. For
example: epinephrine (Adrenalin).
• Note strength and dosage. For example: propofol (Diprivan) 10 mg /
ml vials, 20 ml
•••
Q
Look closely at this box
and tell me what's wrong.
A
It's helpful to mark boxes with the expi-
ration date, but in this case the date was
wrong. It should be 10/11.
•••
Q
Can you find 3 things that are wrong
with this electronic thermometer?
A
The temperature should be 36 to 46°F
(it was 49°F); the high and low wasn't
set for 36 to 46°F; and the alarm was in the
"off" position. OSM
1 2 1
A P R I L 2 0 1 5 | O U T P A T I E N T S U R G E R Y . N E T
DESIGN
Safer Labels for IV Medication Bags
R
edesigning the labels of IV medication bags to include more visual contrast
could help to improve drug identification and prevent delivery errors, according
to a study appearing in the Journal of Patient Safety. For the study, researchers
subjected anesthesia trainees to realistic but simulated surgical emergencies and
directed them to choose the correct medication from an improperly stocked cart.
Mr. Sones (shelsones@aol.com) is a pharmacy and safe medication consultant to surgical centers, and
a member of the Outpatient Surgery Magazine editorial board.
