HLloyd_Assignment_113023
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School
Rasmussen College *
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Course
CALCULATIO
Subject
Medicine
Date
Jan 9, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
3
Uploaded by CaptainUniverseMeerkat28
Marcus is a 23-year-old patient who was hospitalized with a deep vein
thrombosis (DVT). He was prescribed Lovenox (enoxaparin) for 14 days to treat
this condition. Lovenox is typically dosed 1mg/kg every 12 hours. Marcus weighs
76kg; however, the pharmacy dispensed Lovenox 100mg every 12 hours. Based
on the patient’s weight, the dose dispensed was too high. The correct calculation
would be 34.5mg every 12 hours.
76kg/2.2 = 34.5mg
34.5/1 = 34.5mg
To mitigate dosing errors in pharmacy calculations, employing multiple strategies
is crucial. Firstly, “Container labels to help healthcare providers and consumers
select the right drug product. If a drug is made in multiple strengths – e.g., 5 mg,
10 mg, and 25 mg, – the labels of those three containers should be easy to
differentiate. The label design may use different colors or identify the strength in
large bold numbers and letters” (pg.6). Implementing technological aids like dose
calculators or computerized systems reduces human error. Secondly, instituting
double-check protocols where one staff member verifies another's calculations
helps catch mistakes. Moreover, clear and standardized procedures for
calculations and cross-checking reinforce accuracy. Dosing errors pose severe
risks to patients, potentially leading to adverse effects or ineffective treatments.
Overdosing can result in toxicity or harm, while underdosing may lead to
treatment failure or disease progression. Patients' conditions can worsen,
causing prolonged hospital stays or, in extreme cases, fatalities. Reporting
dosing errors should follow a structured approach. Establishing an internal
reporting system allows staff to document errors without fear of repercussions.
This enables thorough investigation, identifying root causes to prevent future
occurrences. Additionally, external reporting to regulatory bodies ensures
transparency and shared learning across the profession. Continuous education
and re-training are vital components in error prevention. Regular workshops,
seminars, and simulations keep pharmacy staff updated on best practices, new
technologies, and emerging risks. Encouraging an open culture where team
members can voice concerns or seek clarification fosters a proactive approach to
error prevention. In conclusion, combating dosing errors demands an all-round
approach encompassing technological aids, robust protocols, comprehensive
reporting mechanisms, and ongoing education. These measures collectively
serve to safeguard patient well-being while enhancing the quality of
pharmaceutical care.
Sources:
AMCP. (2019, July 18).
Medication Errors
. Www.amcp.org; Academy of
Managed Care Pharmacy.
https://www.amcp.org/about/managed-care-
pharmacy-101/concepts-managed-care-pharmacy/medication-errors
California, M. S., PharmD, PhD Department of Pharmacy Alta Bates
Summit Medical Center Berkeley. (n.d.).
Avoiding Medication Errors
.
Www.uspharmacist.com. Retrieved December 1, 2023, from
https://www.uspharmacist.com/article/avoiding-medication-
errors#:~:text=Leading%20Zero%20and%20Decimal%20Point
Mutair, A. A., Alhumaid, S., Shamsan, A., Zaidi, A. R. Z., Mohaini, M. A., Al
Mutairi, A., Rabaan, A. A., Awad, M., & Al-Omari, A. (2021). The Effective
Strategies to Avoid Medication Errors and Improving Reporting Systems.
Medicines
,
8
(9), 46.
https://doi.org/10.3390/medicines8090046
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