Docfan Academy

Medicine errors are common in busy places. They almost always come from weak systems, not from bad people. A few simple habits catch most of them.

The five rights

Before every dose, check:

1. Right patient: ask the patient to say their name and check the ID band or record. Do not rely on a bed number.
2. Right medicine: read the label. Check the name, strength and expiry.
3. Right dose: check the order and the strength on the label.
4. Right route: by mouth, injection, drops or another route.
5. Right time: at the time and interval that were ordered.

Read the label when you take the medicine from the shelf, when you prepare it and before you give it.

Allergies and special items

• Ask about allergies and check the record before the first dose. Write allergies clearly on the chart.
• High-risk medicines, such as concentrated electrolytes, insulin and some injectables, need extra care. Store them separately, label them clearly and have a second person check, as your facility policy says.
• Look-alike, sound-alike medicines should not sit side by side. Use clear labels or colour flags, and read the full name, not only the first letters.
• Never use an unlabelled syringe or a medicine whose label is torn, wet or unreadable.

Errors and near-misses

Everyone makes mistakes. If you give a wrong medicine or dose, look after the patient first, then tell your supervisor. If you catch a mistake just in time, that is a near-miss. Report it too. A no-blame culture asks "what in our system allowed this?" and then fixes it. Hidden errors come back.