International Journal of Risk & Safety in Medicine - Volume 25, issue 2

Authors: Oshikoya, K.A. | Oreagba, I.A. | Ogunleye, O.O. | Senbanjo, I.O. | MacEbong, G.L. | Olayemi, S.O.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: There is paucity of data on paediatric medicine administration error (MAE) in developing countries. This study aimed to investigate the experience of MAEs among paediatric nurses working in public hospitals in Lagos, Nigeria. DESIGN: A confidential, self-reporting questionnaire was the instrument for the study. SETTING: Public hospitals in Lagos, Nigeria with established paediatric services and departments. PARTICIPANTS: Paediatric nurses. METHODS: The questionnaire was administered to 75 nurses working in public hospitals in Lagos to obtain information on the experience of medication errors during their entire career, as well as to know their views on the nature of MAEs and …the contributing factors. RESULTS: Fifty nurses responded to give a response rate of 66.7%. All the participants were females with a mean ± s.d age of 35.3 ± 10.7 years. Thirty two (64%) had committed at least one medication error over the course of their career. Wrong dose error (24; 48%) and wrong timing of medicine administration (20; 40%) were the MAEs frequently committed by the participants. The consequences of the errors included shock (23; 46%), restlessness (21; 42%), disorientation (11; 22%), and respiratory depression (10; 20%). Increased workload (26; 52%) and not double checking medicine doses (12; 24%) were the major factors the nurses perceived to be contributing to MAEs. Only 15(30%) nurses had reported MAEs to their superiors. Fear of intimidation, retribution or being punished (11; 22%) and lack of policies in place to report errors (13; 26%) were the two major barriers to reporting MAEs. Half (50%) of the nurses indicated that policies were available in their work places to prevent medication errors. CONCLUSIONS: Medication administration errors were frequently committed by the participants and resulted in some inconsequential effects, morbidity and deaths. Appropriate measures should be implemented to prevent future occurrences of MAEs. Show more

Keywords: Medicine, paediatric, nurses, administration, errors

DOI: 10.3233/JRS-130585

Citation: International Journal of Risk & Safety in Medicine, vol. 25, no. 2, pp. 67-78, 2013

Authors: Zawilla, N.H. | Ahmed, D.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Health care workers (HCWs) are exposed to blood borne pathogens, through job-related risk factors like sharps injuries (SIs). Sharps injuries can be prevented by safer devices and through education and training of universal precautions and safe work practices. OBJECTIVES: The present study aims to examine the current situation of infection control at Cairo University Hospitals in Egypt, through studying SIs among health care workers and evaluating the preventive measures. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The first part of this study was cross-sectional in design. A self-administered Arabic questionnaire was designed for this study based on EPINet (Exposure Prevention Information Network) Needle …Stick and Sharps injuries reporting Sheet. The second part of the study was an interventional design to evaluate the effectiveness of preventive measures which were introduced since the beginning of 2011. RESULTS: Forty percent of the participants (416/1036) reported at least one sharps injury in the preceding year (2010), of which more than 70% (293/416) experienced more than one injury. 88.9% (370/416, p < 0.001) of HCWs did not report their injury. Following intervention measures injury rates were significantly reduced from 36.9/100 person in 2010 in the intensive care units, to 12.4/100 person during 2011, (X2 = 21.419 and P value < 0.001). CONCLUSION: There is a high occurrence of sharps injuries in Cairo University Hospitals. Implementation of safety devices and adequate training will lead to reduction of SIs among HCWs. Show more

Keywords: Health care workers, sharps injury, safety devices

DOI: 10.3233/JRS-130587

Citation: International Journal of Risk & Safety in Medicine, vol. 25, no. 2, pp. 79-92, 2013

Authors: McGowan, David R. | Woodcock, Emily R.

Article Type: Research Article

DOI: 10.3233/JRS-130591

Citation: International Journal of Risk & Safety in Medicine, vol. 25, no. 2, pp. 93-94, 2013

Authors: Ilyina, Rosa Yu. | Pasynkova, Olga O. | Ziganshina, Lilia E.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Neuroleptic induced extrapyramidal disorders are often presented in a form of orofacial hyperkinesias and dystonia. Rational use of neuroleptic drugs requires individualised approach to a patient, however simple criteria for determining individual, “personalised” dosage regimen have not been fully developed for routine practice in resource-limited hospital settings. OBJECTIVE: To study the tonus of tongue muscles as a measure of orofacial dystonia and the total hepatic oxidative capacity as a potential predictor of excessive vulnerability to neuroleptic-induced dystonia in psychiatric patients. METHODS: We measured the maximal force of the tongue manoeuvre (F, g/cm2 ), the total (integral) hepatic oxidative capacity …by the antipyrine-test and used chlorpromazine equivalent to calculate the total daily neuroleptic load in 283 psychiatric patients and 30 healthy volunteers. RESULTS: The tonus of tongue muscles depends on the total daily neuroleptic dose and the length of antipsychotic treatment. The higher the total daily neuroleptic dose and the longer the treatment history, the greater the tongue muscles' tonus is. The tongue muscles' tonus was greater in patients with low rate of oxidative antipyrine metabolism. Antidepressants contributed to the increased tonus of the tongue muscles in “slow metabolisers” of antipyrine. CONCLUSIONS: The simple and cheap measurements of total hepatic oxidative capacity and of muscle tonus of the tongue could be used to predict and manage neuroleptic-induced adverse reactions. Show more

Keywords: Neuroleptics, antidepressants, tongue muscle tonus, movement disorders, drug metabolism, hepatic oxidative capacity

DOI: 10.3233/JRS-130584

Citation: International Journal of Risk & Safety in Medicine, vol. 25, no. 2, pp. 95-103, 2013

Authors: Atigari, Onome V. | Kelly, Anne-Marie | Jabeen, Qamar | Healy, David

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Genetic and environmental factors influence the development of alcohol dependence and alcohol dependence increases the risk of developing Major Depressive Disorder-MDD (vice versa). Amongst antidepressants, the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are likely the most frequently prescribed for MDD. However, findings on the role of SSRIs in alleviating alcoholism are conflicting. CASE DESCRIPTION: A review of the literature is highlighted with a case of middle-aged lady with new onset alcohol dependence syndrome after commencement of SSRI, which resolved following discontinuation of the SSRIs and the introduction of Mirtazapine. DISCUSSION: The serotonin transporter gene has been linked to excessive drinking, …early-onset problem drinking, alcohol dependence, anxiety and impulsiveness. While the evidence for antidepressant use appears consistent in alleviating depressive symptoms in patients with comorbid alcohol dependence and depression, some groups of patients may show an increase in alcohol consumption. Alternatively, there are a series of studies suggesting that antagonism of S-3 receptors can lead to diminished cravings for alcohol. This case highlights the need for further research into the effects of SSRIs on alcohol consumption in those with and without previous alcohol dependence syndromes. It also indicates a need to monitor changes in alcohol consumption and behaviour while on SSRIs. Show more

Keywords: Alcohol, serotonin, depression, antidepressants

DOI: 10.3233/JRS-130586

Citation: International Journal of Risk & Safety in Medicine, vol. 25, no. 2, pp. 105-109, 2013

Authors: Healy, David | Mangin, Derelie | Antonuccio, David

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are a useful tool to check the effectiveness of drugs but have come to shape the culture of medicine in a manner that increasingly compromises medical care. Dependence on RCT evidence is compromised by the well-known problems stemming non-publication of trials, lack of access to trial data, ghostwriting of those trials that are published and a variety of coding and other strategies to hide harms. But what is less appreciated is that whenever a drug and an illness can produce the same benefit or harm that the outcomes of RCTs can be profoundly misleading. This article …gives examples of how RCTs can produce the wrong answer. Show more

Keywords: Randomized controlled trials, evidence based medicine, Simpson's paradox

DOI: 10.3233/JRS-130588

Citation: International Journal of Risk & Safety in Medicine, vol. 25, no. 2, pp. 111-121, 2013

Authors: Edwards, Ralph

Article Type: Research Article

DOI: 10.3233/JRS-130589

Citation: International Journal of Risk & Safety in Medicine, vol. 25, no. 2, pp. 123-129, 2013

Article Type: Research Article

DOI: 10.3233/JRS-130590

Citation: International Journal of Risk & Safety in Medicine, vol. 25, no. 2, pp. 131-134, 2013