Reducing prescribing errors: Be aware of busy times when red flags may be raised but not noticed

+Opinion

Reducing prescribing errors: Be aware of busy times when red flags may be raised but not noticed

By Morag McDowell, Office of the HDC
Patient in hospital bed with IV
In two cases that led to complaints to the Health and Disability Commissioner, patients’ severe allergies to medication were not front of mind for staff at critical times [Image: Olga Kononenko on Unsplash]

When safeguards are in place but are not used, patients’ rights and lives can be at risk. Morag McDowell reports on New Zealand cases

Clinical practice in a busy acute admitting hospital will mean that there is potential for distraction and interruption An issue that has arisen