Medication errors during anaesthesia in a tertiary health institution in Nigeria: a case series

Abstract

Polypharmacy is a routine practice in anaesthesia, hence occurrence of medication errors is not uncommon. A medication error is an error in the prescription, dispensing, or administration of medication which results in failure of patients to receive correct drug or appropriate dose. Such errors usually occur due to human and drugs packaging factors and consequences may range from no harm to morbidity or mortality. This case series highlighted some of the common medication errors that occurred in our center, their causes, interventions and outcomes.

Medication error is a common occurrence in anaesthesia. Similar looking vials, ampoules and syringes and inexperience of the anaesthesia care provider are associated risk factors. Anaesthesia care providers should be vigilant and protected from undue fatigue and overwork because human errors were responsible for all the cases highlighted and discussed.

Keywords: Medication error, Anaesthesia, tertiary health institution, Nigeria