Do Your CATS PRRR?: A Mnemonic Device to Teach Safety Checks for Administering Intravenous Medications

摘要

Nurses use the 6 rights of medication administration as a basic safety strategy to avoid medication errors that could cause harm or death to patients. Preparation and administration of intravenous (IV) medications is a complex procedure that can involve 50 or more steps for one medication. In conjunction with these steps, nurses must be up to date regarding the complex technology and safety features of the various IV pumps on their units. This column describes a mnemonic device that can be used as a safety strategy to help nurses avoid IV medication errors that could ultimately result in harm or death to the patient.