Joint Commission Alert: Prevent Blood Thinner Deaths And Overdoses

Main Category: Blood / Hematology
Also Included In: Public Health
Article Date: 25 Sep 2008 - 0:00 PDT


A number of recent high profile errors related to commonly used blood thinners highlight a safety issue that too frequently results in harm or even death to patients, according to a Joint Commission alert issued that offers solutions to this medication safety issue.

The Joint Commission's new Sentinel Event Alert urges greater attention to the dangers associated with anticoagulants, life-saving medications that also present serious risks when administered incorrectly or in error. Patients being treated with these medications must be closely monitored and screened for drug and food interactions, given that commonly used anticoagulants such as heparin and warfarin have narrow therapeutic ranges and a high potential for complications. Adding to the problem is a lack of standardized naming, labeling and packaging of anticoagulants that create confusion and lead to devastating errors.

Anticoagulant medication errors are such a serious patient safety issue that The Joint Commission addresses these types of errors in the 2008 National Patient Safety Goals, with full implementation of the requirements expected by January 1, 2009 for hospitals, outpatient clinics, home care and long term care organizations across the United States. In addition, The Joint Commission's medication management standards require organizations to pay particular attention to high-risk drugs such as anticoagulants in order to improve safety.

"Anticoagulants are vital to maximizing the effectiveness of many medical treatments and surgical procedures that benefit patients, but the systems necessary to ensure that these drugs are used safely are not adequate," says Mark R. Chassin, M.D., M.P.P., M.P.H.., president, The Joint Commission. "The strategies contained in this Alert give health care organizations and caregivers the tools to make a difference in preventing anticoagulant medication errors."

The Joint Commission's Alert highlights factors that contribute to anticoagulant medication errors, including lack of standardized labeling and packaging, failure to document and communicate patient instructions during hand-offs, and inappropriate dosing for pediatric patients.

To reduce the risk of errors related to commonly used anticoagulants, The Joint Commission's Alert recommends that health care organizations take a series of 15 specific steps, including the following:

-- Assess the risks of using anticoagulants.

-- Use best practices or evidence-based guidelines regarding anticoagulants.

-- Establish standard dose limits on anticoagulants and require that a doctor confirm any exceptions.

-- Clearly label syringes and other containers used for anticoagulants.

-- Clarify all anticoagulant dosing for pediatric patients, who are higher risk because these drugs are formulated and packaged for adults.

Other strategies for reducing the errors related to anticoagulants include staff communication and collaboration; patient education and participation; designating pharmacists to manage anticoagulant services; and use of computerized physician order entry (CPOE) and bar coding technology, if available.

The warning about preventing errors related to commonly used anticoagulants is part of a series of Alerts issued by the Joint Commission. Much of the information and guidance provided in these Alerts is drawn from the Joint Commission's Sentinel Event Database, one of the nation's most comprehensive voluntary reporting systems for serious adverse events in health care. The database includes detailed information about both adverse events and their underlying causes. Previous Alerts have addressed wrong-site surgery, medication mix-ups, health care-associated infections, and patient suicides, among others. The complete list and text of past issues of Sentinel Event Alert can be found on the Joint Commission's website (http://www.jointcommission.org).

Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve the safety and quality of care provided to the public through the provision of health care accreditation and related services that support performance improvement in health care organizations. The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits more than 15,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States, including more than 8,000 hospitals and home care organizations, and more than 6,100 other health care organizations that provide long term care, assisted living, behavioral health care, laboratory and ambulatory care services. The Joint Commission also accredits health plans, integrated delivery networks, and other managed care entities. In addition, The Joint Commission provides certification of disease-specific care programs, primary stroke centers, and health care staffing services. An independent, not-for-profit organization, The Joint Commission is the nation's oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care. Learn more about The Joint Commission at http://www.jointcommission.org.

The Joint Commission
http://www.jointcommission.org

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