Automated search methods for identifying wrong patient order entry-a scoping review.

Objective: To investigate: (1) what automated search methods are used to identify wrong-patient order entry (WPOE), (2) what data are being captured and how they are being used, (3) the causes of WPOE, and (4) how providers identify their own errors. Materials and Methods: A systematic scoping review of the empirical literature was performed using the databases CINAHL, Embase, and MEDLINE, covering the period from database inception until 2021. Search terms were related to the use of automated searches for WPOE when using an electronic prescribing system. Data were extracted and thematic analysis was performed to identify patterns or themes within the data. Results: Fifteen papers were included in the review. Several automated search methods were identified, with the retract-and-reorder (RAR) method and the Void Alert Tool (VAT) the most prevalent. Included studies used automated search methods to identify background error rates in isolation, or in the context of an intervention. Risk factors for WPOE were identified, with technological factors and interruptions deemed the biggest risks. Minimal data on how providers identify their own errors were identified. Discussion: RAR is the most widely used method to identify WPOE, with a good positive predictive value (PPV) of 76.2%. However, it will not currently identify other error types. The VAT is nonspecific for WPOE, with a mean PPV of 78%-93.1%, but the voiding reason accuracy varies considerably. Conclusion: Automated search methods are powerful tools to identify WPOE that would otherwise go unnoticed. Further research is required around self-identification of errors.

National evaluation of harm associated with patient safety incident reports related to the provision of parenteral nutrition to patients, using a national incident reporting system.

BACKGROUND: Parenteral nutrition (PN)-related patient safety incidents have been associated with harm. Large-scale studies are scarce, and little is known about contributory factors. This study evaluated PN-related incident reports that described harm using a national database. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective evaluation of incident reports involving PN in England and Wales reported to the National Reporting and Learning System between 2015 and 2020. We described frequency by degree of reported harm and incident characteristics. Content analysis was undertaken to understand contributory factors for reports related to moderate/severe harm or death. RESULTS: 12,907 incident reports were identified. After screening, 2242 were evaluated; 1879 (83.8%) reported no harm, 309 (13.8%) low harm, 47 (0.02%) moderate harm, 4 (0.002%) severe harm, 3 (0.001%) deaths. The most reported age group, medication process, and error category were neonates (<28 days) (n = 570/1923, 29.6%), administration (n = 1126/2242, 50%), and omitted medication/ingredient (n = 291/2242, 13%), respectively. Content analysis of reports related to moderate/severe harm and death revealed patient age of <1 year, dependence on home PN (HPN), comorbidities, and staff errors as contributory factors. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first evaluation of PN-related incident reports in England and Wales to our knowledge. We demonstrated a low frequency of reports related to moderate or severe harm or death. More incidents were reported for neonates and during the administration processes. To reduce harm, systems/procedures that reduce errors in high-risk patients (eg, neonates, patients receiving HPN) need to be established within organizations. Database limitations of voluntary reporting systems were recognized.

Impact of implementing the aseptic compounding management system, Medcura, on internal error rates within an oncology pharmacy aseptic unit: a mixed methods evaluation.

BACKGROUND: As cancer survivorship improves, pressure on oncology services to provide safe, timely treatments increases. Traditional manual compounding processes are error prone, putting patients at risk. Additionally, errors have a detrimental impact on service delivery and staff morale. Information technology is increasingly utilised to improve safety and service delivery of systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT). The compounding process control system, Medcura, was developed to manage the end-to-end process and reduce transcription and calculation errors. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of implementing Medcura on internal errors and staff perceptions of errors. METHOD: An aseptic process control system, Medcura, was implemented in a busy pharmacy chemotherapy production unit. Internal error and severity data were collected and analysed for 14 months before and during implementation, and 24 months after implementation. In addition, one-to-one semi-structured interviews were carried out with pharmacy staff, pre- and post-implementation. Interviews were transcribed and thematically analysed. RESULTS: Error rates decreased after implementation from 2.9% to 2.1%. The types of error detected also changed with a decrease in worksheet and labelling errors, and an increase in assembly errors. The severity of the errors, as a percentage of total errors made, also decreased after implementation. Staff were predominantly positive about Medcura; it reduced the number of errors, eased the preparation of worksheets and labels, reduced pressure and work-related stress, and improved job satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Implementing Medcura has resulted in a reduction in both error rate and severity. Specifically, errors related to label and worksheet generation have seen the largest reduction. Staff have viewed these changes positively and report reduced levels of work-related stress. Further development and roll-out will improve patient safety and staff morale.

Patient Safety Incidents Related to the Use of Parenteral Nutrition in All Patient Groups: A Systematic Scoping Review.

INTRODUCTION: There is limited comprehensive literature focussing on the range of patient safety incidents related to parenteral nutrition (PN). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review was to examine patient safety incidents related to the use of PN in all patient age groups. METHODS: Literature published in the English language between January 2000 and April 2020 were searched across the MEDLINE, CINHAL and Embase databases. Articles were included if they contained PN-related patient safety incidents related to an avoidable event. No restrictions were applied to patient populations. The screening process was undertaken independently by two authors. RESULTS: In total, 108 records were included in the review: 52 case studies, 54 observation studies (e.g. prevalence studies, surveys) and two experimental studies. All age groups were represented, with 62% of studies in paediatrics (of which two-thirds were neonates) and 23% in adults. They included all medication processes: prescribing, dispensing, compounding, administration and monitoring. Incidents were related to microbial contamination, venous access and specific components (e.g. lipid emulsion, amino acids, glucose, micronutrients and electrolytes) or the whole product. Incident outcomes ranging from near miss to death were reported. Intervention studies looked at the impact on patient safety incidents of computerised tools, healthcare processes, e.g. pharmacist screening, and standardisation. One study demonstrated more severe outcomes with paediatric than with adult PN. CONCLUSIONS: This review demonstrates the vast range of PN-related patient safety incidents in all patient age groups and all medication process stages. The need for a national study looking at patient safety incidents related to PN in England is highlighted.

Feasibility of developing children's Pill School within a UK hospital.

OBJECTIVE: We assessed the feasibility of introducing an intervention (children's Pill School-PS) within a UK hospital to provide swallowing training for children, identified the proportion of children who can be switched from oral liquid medicines to pills and assessed children/parents' opinions about the PS training. METHODS: 30 inpatient children (aged 3-18 years; taking oral liquid medicines; their liquid medications assessed suitable for switching to pills; can (and their parents) speak/understand English were included. Training sessions were delivered using hard sweets of different sizes. RESULTS: 87% (26) of children successfully learnt how to swallow pills after one training session (mean duration 14.5 min), and 92% (24) were discharged on pills. 75 prescribed oral liquid medications were deemed suitable for switching to pills. Of these, 89% (67) were switched successfully. CONCLUSION: Children as young as 3 years were successful in swallowing pills after training. Providing children PS training session within hospital is feasible and acceptable to children and their parents.

Electronic prescribing in paediatric secondary care: are harmful errors prevented?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this research was to ascertain the effectiveness of current electronic prescribing (EP) systems to prevent a standardised set of paediatric prescribing errors likely to cause harm if they reach the patient. DESIGN: Semistructured survey. SETTING: UK hospitals using EP in the paediatric setting. OUTCOME MEASURES: Number and type of erroneous orders able to be prescribed, and the level of clinical decision support (CDS) provided during the prescribing process. RESULTS: 90.7% of the erroneous orders were able to be prescribed across the seven different EP systems tested. Levels of CDS varied between systems and between sites using the same system. CONCLUSIONS: EP systems vary in their ability to prevent harmful prescribing errors in the hospital paediatric setting. Differences also occur between sites using the same system, highlighting the importance of how a system is set up and optimised.

Electronic prescribing system design priorities for antimicrobial stewardship: a cross-sectional survey of 142 UK infection specialists.

Background: The implementation of electronic prescribing and medication administration (EPMA) systems is a priority for hospitals and a potential component of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS). Objectives: To identify software features within EPMA systems that could potentially facilitate AMS and to survey practising UK infection specialist healthcare professionals in order to assign priority to these software features. Methods: A questionnaire was developed using nominal group technique and transmitted via email links through professional networks. The questionnaire collected demographic data, information on priority areas and anticipated impact of EPMA. Responses from different respondent groups were compared using the Mann-Whitney U -test. Results: Responses were received from 164 individuals (142 analysable). Respondents were predominantly specialist infection pharmacists (48%) or medical microbiologists (37%). Of the pharmacists, 59% had experience of EPMA in their hospitals compared with 35% of microbiologists. Pharmacists assigned higher priority to indication prompt ( P < 0.001), allergy checker ( P = 0.003), treatment protocols ( P = 0.003), drug-indication mismatch alerts ( P = 0.031) and prolonged course alerts ( P = 0.041) and lower priority to a dose checker for adults ( P = 0.02) and an interaction checker ( P < 0.05) than microbiologists. A 'soft stop' functionality was rated essential or high priority by 89% of respondents. Potential EPMA software features were expected to have the greatest impact on stewardship, treatment efficacy and patient safety outcomes with lowest impact on Clostridium difficile infection, antimicrobial resistance and drug expenditure. Conclusions: The survey demonstrates key differences in health professionals' opinions of potential healthcare benefits of EPMA, but a consensus of anticipated positive impact on patient safety and AMS.

TOLVAPTAN USE IN SEVERE NEONATAL AUTOSOMAL DOMINANT POLYCYSTIC KIDNEY DISEASE (ADPKD): THE PHARMACEUTICAL CHALLENGE.

BACKGROUND: Unlicensed medications are used all the time in the management of diseases in childhood. Tolvaptan (Jinarc®) is a vasopressin V2-receptor antagonist licensed for use to slow the progression of cyst development and renal insufficiency of ADPKD in adults with CKD stage 1 to 3 with evidence of rapidly progressing disease. Studies of animal models implicate the antidiuretic hormone arginine vasopressin and its messenger cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) as promoters of kidney-cyst cell proliferation and luminal fluid secretion. The suppression of vasopressin release by means of high water intake, genetic elimination of vasopressin, and vasopressin V2-receptor blockade all reduce the cyst burden and protect kidney function1 A Phase 3 trial showed that Tolvaptan, as compared with placebo, slowed down the increase in total kidney volume and decline in kidney function in adults (average 39 yrs) with ADPKD over a 3-year period.2 ADPKD is the most common form of polycystic kidney disease (PKD) typically late in onset and results from mutation of either of two genes: PKD1 and PKD2. Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney (ARPKD), the other form of PKD, is 20 times less common, presents primarily in infancy and childhood, is typically more severe, and commonly associated with hypertension. ARPKD results from mutation of PKHD1. In spite of these differences, there is growing evidence to suggest that ADPKD and ARPKD are more related than previously suspected.3 Bilineal inheritance of PKD1 abnormalities has been reported to cause extremely severe disease resembling ARPKD.4 The use of Tolvaptan in the management of PKD in children is therefore expected to become more important. AIM: To describe the first known UK use of Tolvaptan in a neonate with severe ADPKD and the role of the hospital pharmacist in facilitating the use. METHOD: The role descriptor of hospital pharmacists produced by the World Health Organisation (WHO) was adapted and used to map the pharmaceutical challenges of using Tolvaptan in this child. The descriptor include: (i) Promotion of rational prescribing of drugs, (ii) Use of specialist pharmacists networks to gain greater expertise; (iii) Monitor compliance and therapeutic response and report adverse drug reactions; (iv) ensure supply of high quality products; (v) partake in planning and implementation of clinical trials. RESULTS: The use of Tolvaptan for indication other than hyponatraemia and other endocrine uses are not routinely commissioned by NHS England. In view of the exceptionality of this case - a severe neonatal form of ADPKD with estimated prevalence of the order of 1 in tens of millions, an Individual Funding Request (IFR) application was made and was approved. The application was supported by financial information provided by the hospital pharmacist who facilitated the application process. Using available information and formulation knowledge, a suspension was eventually recommended and was well tolerated. This resulted in approximately 85% reduction in the cost of treatment over six months. Tolvaptan produced the expected aquaresis and blood pressure reduction. Initial dose of 0.1 mg/kg/day was used and increased according to weight and clinical response. Initial monitoring parameters, which included 4 hourly blood pressure, urine and electrolytes and hepatic function, were recommended. Electrolyte supplements were adjusted accordingly. At 2-month review point, there was no oedema of leg and face but the kidneys were still enlarged. The long term effect on cyst burden and kidney function is being evaluated and will feed into the IFR process. CONCLUSION: The use of unlicensed medications in children poses a number of pharmaceutical challenges and can be managed through a multidisciplinary approach to treatment intervention. It also re-enforce the paediatric formulation challenge to pharmaceutical companies in which formulation needs are prioritised and existing data are better used to facilitate paediatric formulation development.

USE OF TERIPARATIDE IN A FOUR YEAR OLD PATIENT WITH AUTOSOMAL DOMINANT HYPOCALCAEMIA.

AIM: We report the effective use of the synthetic parathyroid hormone (PTH) teriparatide to treat a 4 year old boy with autosomal dominant hypocalcaemia. BACKGROUND: Autosomal Dominant hypocalcaemia is characterised by hypocalcaemia with a lack of parathyroid hormone (PTH) response and inappropriately high urinary calcium excretion. It is caused by gain-of-function mutations in the extracellular calcium sensing receptor which then "over-reads" the extracellular fluid concentration of calcium resulting in suppression of PTH secretion. This then reduces PTH-mediated calcium reabsorption in the distal nephron. Treatment of hypocalcaemia with vitamin D analogues and calcium supplements results in further increases in urinary calcium concentrations, frequently causing nephrocalcinosis and progressive renal damage.Our four year old male patient presented in the neonatal period with seizures secondary to hypocalcaemia and low PTH levels. He suffered repeated seizures with associated tetany. Treatment with alfaclacidol and calcium supplements was able to provide seizure control, however episodes of tetany continued. A heterozygous, activating mutation of the extracellular calcium sensing receptor (c.2528C>A; p.Ala843Glu) was confirmed at age 2. The treatment caused significant hypercalciuria and nephrocalcinosis with a reduction in GFR to 73 ml/mim/m.(2) Continuing this therapy would have resulted in end stage kidney disease requiring dialysis/transplantation. The decision was made to try treatment with PTH in order to raise the plasma calcium concentration while minimising the increase in urinary calcium excretion.Funding for treatment was approved by specialised commissioning and treatment was commenced at a dose of 0.4 microg/kg BD. ADMINISTRATION: Teriparatide is only available in a prefilled pen (Forsteo®) delivering 20 microg in 80 microlitre per dose. Following discussions with the pharmacy team at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children a protocol was developed to allow these set doses to be diluted prior to administration. By diluting the 20 microg dose to 0.5 ml in a 1 ml syringe a solution containing 40 microg/ml was obtained. OUTCOME: Treatment was started at 3.66 years of age. Pre-treatment adjusted plasma calcium concentration was 1.96 mmol/L and the urinary calcium excretion was 0.11 mmol/kg/day (normal<0.1). After 5 days of treatment the patient felt very much better and had more energy. The adjusted plasma calcium concentration had risen to 2.09 mmol/L and the urinary calcium excretion had fallen to 0.045 mmol/kg/day.Over the following 9 months the dose of alfacalcidol was reduced from 600 nanograms per day to 300 nanograms per day and calcium supplements were reduced from 16 mmol four times per day to zero. The teriparatide dose was increased from an initial dose of 2 microgram twice daily to 6 microgram twice daily. The plasma calcium has remained above 2 mmol/L apart from a period where further weaning of the alfacalcidol dose was attempted.Rather to our surprise, the patient did not experience symptoms of hypercalcaemia with plasma calcium concentrations within the normal range. His muscle power and tone has increased.We conclude that teriparatide is a useful agent for treating patients with gain-of-function mutations of the calcium-sensing receptor/autosomal dominant hypocalcaemia.

Developing consensus on hospital prescribing indicators of potential harm for infants and children.

AIMS: The aim of the study was to develop a list of hospital based paediatric prescribing indicators that can be used to assess the impact of electronic prescribing or clinical decision support tools on paediatric prescribing errors. METHODS: Two rounds of an electronic consensus method (eDelphi) were carried out with 21 expert panellists from the UK. Panellists were asked to score each prescribing indicator for its likelihood of occurrence and severity of outcome should the error occur. The scores were combined to produce a risk score and a median score for each indicator calculated. The degree of consensus between panellists was defined as the proportion that gave a risk score in the same category as the median. Indicators were included if a consensus of 80% or higher was achieved and were in the high risk categories. RESULTS: Each of the 21 panellists completed an exploratory round and two rounds of scoring. This identified 41 paediatric prescribing indicators with a high risk rating and greater than 80% consensus. The most common error type within the indicators was wrong dose (n = 19) and the most common drug classes were antimicrobials (n = 10) and cardiovascular (n = 7). CONCLUSIONS: A set of 41 paediatric prescribing indicators describing potential harm for the hospital setting has been identified by an expert panel. The indicators provide a standardized method of evaluation of prescribing data on both paper and electronic systems. They can also be used to assess implementation of clinical decision support systems or other quality improvement initiatives.

Existential well-being in younger and older people with anorexia nervosa--a preliminary investigation.

OBJECTIVE: Previous research suggests that anorexic behaviour may be an attempt to introduce control into a chaotic environment, and that the need for stability and meaning in life is an important factor in the development of psychopathologies. The phenomenon of 'existential anxiety' is a characteristic reaction to a lack of meaning in the life of an individual. This preliminary study attempted to identify whether existential concerns are associated with anorexic symptoms. METHOD: Two groups of women with anorexia (those aged between 18 and 30, and those aged over 30, respectively) were compared to two age-matched comparison groups across four measures: The eating disorder inventory (EDI), the Beck depression inventory (BDI), the anorectic cognition scale and the McGill quality of life existential well-being subscale. RESULTS: Both anorexia groups demonstrated lower existential well-being scores and higher eating psychopathology than their comparison groups. However, while significant relationships between eating disorder symptoms and existential well-being were found in the older anorexia group, no such relationships were found in the younger anorexia group. DISCUSSION: Individuals with symptoms of anorexia nervosa appear to experience lower existential well-being than their non-eating disordered peers, although it is unclear how this may be related to psychopathology. This result may offer some explanation as to why anorexia nervosa is so resistant to treatment efforts.