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Drug Presentation

High-alert medications are those that pose a significant risk of patient harm if used incorrectly, and adherence to safe practices can mitigate these risks. Examples include anticoagulants, chemotherapeutic agents, and narcotics, with insulin and injectable potassium chloride being among the top high-alert medications. Strategies to enhance safety include standardizing processes, improving information access, and implementing safeguards like auxiliary labels and automated alerts.

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28 views11 pages

Drug Presentation

High-alert medications are those that pose a significant risk of patient harm if used incorrectly, and adherence to safe practices can mitigate these risks. Examples include anticoagulants, chemotherapeutic agents, and narcotics, with insulin and injectable potassium chloride being among the top high-alert medications. Strategies to enhance safety include standardizing processes, improving information access, and implementing safeguards like auxiliary labels and automated alerts.

Uploaded by

abi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

DEFINITION

 High-alert medications are medications that bear a heightened


risk of causing significant patient harm when they are used in
error.
- ISMP

 Adhering to safe practices protocol can reduce the potential for


harm
 Poorly written medication orders.

 Incorrect dilution procedures.

 Confusion between IM, IV, intrathecal, preparations.

 Confusion between strengths of the same medications.

 Wrong infusion rate.

 Look alike or sound alike product and similar packaging.


Classes/Categories of High Alert
Medications Examples:

 Antithrombotic agents (anticoagulants), including warfarin, low molecular weight heparin, IV


unfractionated heparin
 Chemotherapeutic agents, parenteral and oral
 Epidural or intrathecal medications
 Hypoglycemics, oral
 Narcotics/opiates, IV, transdermal, and oral (including liquid concentrates, immediate and
sustained-release formulations)
 Radiocontrast agents, IV Classes/Categories of Medications
Special Medication Examples

 Insulin, subcutaneous and IV

 Magnesium sulphate injection

 Potassium chloride for injection concentrate

 Sodium chloride for injection, hypertonic (greater than 0.9%


concentration)
TOP 5 HIGH – ALERT
MEDICATIONS
1. Insulin
2. Opiates & Narcotics
3. Injectable potassium chloride or potassium concentrate
4. Intravenous anti-coagulants (heparin)
5. Sodium chloride solutions above 0.9 %
Explain the goal with relevance to daily work in
hospital
Strategies may include:

 Standardizing the ordering, storage, preparation, and


administration of these medications

 Improving access to information about these drugs

 Limiting access to high-alert medications

 Using auxiliary labels and automated alerts

 Employing redundancies

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