International Journal of Pharmaceutical Science and Research

Authors
Pranitha Varghese, K Krishnakumar, Panayappan, Meppil Baby

Abstract
In critical care, medication errors are frequent, serious, and predictable. Critically ill patients have prescribed twice as many medications as patient outside of the intensive care unit (ICU) and nearly all will suffer a potentially life-threatening medication error at some point during their hospital stay. Medication errors (MEs) are the most common error in critical care. In fact, 78% of all serious errors in ICUs are due to medication errors. Therefore, detecting MEs are significant. Efforts should be taken to correct the wrong administration technique and inappropriate monitoring in order to improve the quality of care in the ICU and to reduce MEs. The beneficial technique to reduce such medication errors includes computerized prescribing, education and pharmacist input. This article provides a systematic review of medication errors in critical care, help to identify risk factors for medication errors, suggest strategies to prevent medication errors and manage their consequences.