Methods of Avoiding the Errors in the first place

[DavidS]

My own routine is to insist that labels line up with the same name on the packet, so I don't have to turn the packet round or over, regardless of what the label covers, or if it goes around corners, etc. I have found this has saved me SO many times: not only do I notice, but dispensing staff tend to spot their own errors more often and when they double check my labels, as in boots, etc., they find it easier too! It doesn't stop them complaining about it though.

Another useful spin-off is that on the one occassion a mistake got as far as a patient (ok, that I know about), they were on the phone in two minutes saying that THEY had noticed straight away, hence no danger.

What do YOU do?

[Zoggite]

sounds like an excellent idea; I wish all boxes were designed like APS/Teva's, where the drug name is printed just above the space for the dispensing label...
The problems start with PI's, where you could be covering the only bits of printed information in English, if you stick the label directly below th licensed name; also, you could be obscuring the expiry date...

The best "tip" i ever read about for helping to check scripts was "read the script out loud", especially when dispensing and checking on your own (saturdays etc...): apparently, it's a different part of your brain that processes the information from your eyes, and that from speech & hearing; so, even if your eyes have convinced you that the box of amlodipine 5mg you've picked off the shelf is right for your script, when you hear yourself say "amiloride 5mg", you'll realise your mistake...
As they say in a certain supermarket: "Every little helps!"

[Jeff]

What do YOU do?

Put the dispensed medicines in the bag with their names facing upwards so that the patient can check discreetly while in the pharmacy that what has been dispensed is what they are expecting.

Jeff

[DavidS]

The best "tip" i ever read about for helping to check scripts was "read the script out loud", especially when dispensing and checking on your own (saturdays etc...): apparently, it's a different part of your brain that processes the information from your eyes, and that from speech & hearing; so, even if your eyes have convinced you that the box of amlodipine 5mg you've picked off the shelf is right for your script, when you hear yourself say "amiloride 5mg", you'll realise your mistake...
As they say in a certain supermarket: "Every little helps!"

Yes, I like that, and from what I know of neuroscience - which isn't much - singing the name might be even better!!

[lamzee]

Always pack your own bags--don't check then leave for dispensing staff to cross-pack. Then re-check packet-ends once in bag.

[JonF]

I've got into habit of marking original pack next to the drug name and the strength. I think the physical act of making a mark helps in checking strength and drug and it has helped me avoid many a mistake reaching patient.

If only all drug manufacturers followed Teva with their pack design, colour coding and space for labelling, then it would make dispensing safer all round.

[Web Ferret]

The new activis packing is pretty bad IMHO.

I read the script, then look at the medication, then finally read the label.

Having enough quality support staff & rest breaks seems the best method to avoid errors.

[johnep]

Close one yesterday, two scripts, one for a Neville Turvey and other for Neville Turner. followed each other and got dispensed as neville Turner. Spotted because we owed one and owing label on script had different name to that on script.
johnep

[Pharmanaut]

Used to hate dispensing Lofepramine and Loperamide. The old GUK livery didn't help at all. The were together on the shelf. They were soon separated.

[howe928]

insist that labels line up with the same name on the packet, so I don't have to turn the packet round or over, regardless of what the label covers, or if it goes around corners, etc.

LOVE that, that's what i will do when i was a pre-reg; and keep this habit nowadays if i am the one sticking the label on


...........................................
HATE those who puts label up side down, how do they read that? do their eye just turn up side down for a second?

or the one that you need to read by turning it 3D

last not to mention the wonky going up or down hill labels