Reducing risk of overdose with midazolam injection in adults: an evaluation of change in clinical practice to improve patient safety in England

摘要

Rationale aims and objectives. This study sought to evaluate potential reductions in risk associated withudmidazolam injection, a sedating medication, following a United Kingdom National Patient Safety Alert. Thisudalert, ‘Reducing risk of overdose with midazolam injection in adults’, was sent to all National Health Service organisations as a Rapid Response Report detailing actions services should take to minimise risks.ududMethod. To evaluate any potential changes arising from this alert, a number of data sources were exploredudincluding reported incidents to a national reporting system for health care error, clinician survey and audituddata, pharmaceutical purchasing patterns and feedback from NHS managers.ududResults. Prior to the Rapid Response Report, 498 incidents were received by the National Patient SafetyudAgency including 3 deaths. Post implementation of the Rapid Response Report (June 2009), no incidentsudresulting in death or severe harm had been received. All organisations reported having completed the RapidudResponse Report actions. Purchase and use of risk-prone, high-strength sedating midazolam by health careudorganisations decreased significantly as did the increased use of safer, lower strength doses (as recommended in the Rapid Response Report).ududConclusions. Organisations can achieve safer medication practices, better knowledge, awareness andudimplementation of national safer practice recommendations. Risks from inadvertent overdose of midazolamudinjection was reduced post implementation of national recommendations. Ongoing monitoring of thisudparticular adverse event will be required with a sustained patient safety message to health services toudmaintain awareness of the issue and reduction in the number of midazolam related errors.