Attitudes and Behaviors of Anesthesia Workers in Turkey Towards Drug Labeling: A Questionnaire Study

• Published in: Istanbul medical journal Vol. 20; no. 4; pp. 299 - 305
• Main Authors: Küçükosman, Gamze, Aydın, Bengü Gülhan, Ayoğlu, Hilal
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Istanbul Galenos Publishing House 01.07.2019; Galenos Yayinevi
• Subjects: Adhesives; Anesthesia; Anesthesia workers; Anesthesiology; Codes; Drug dosages; drug error; ISO standards; Labeling; Medical errors; Patient safety; Standardization
• ISSN: 2619-9793; 1304-8503; 2148-094X
• DOI: 10.4274/imj.galenos.2019.68815

Introduction: Standard drug syringe labels can reduce drug errors. In this study, it was aimed to report the attitudes of anesthesia workers (AW) towards labeling, to emphasize the importance of drug labeling in drug errors and to contribute to safe anesthesia practices by raising awareness about standardization. Methods: The study was initiated after obtaining permission from the Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University Clinical Research Ethics Committee. A confidential, self-reporting questionnaire was sent to each member of Turkish Anesthesiology and Reanimation Society and to technicians whose e-mail addresses were known. Results: A total of 189 people participated. Of all participants, 49.2% were aware of standard syringe label (SSL). While 67.3% of these participants stated that they used color-coded self-adhesive labels, 47% stated that they did not know which standards these labels met. AWs suggested that color-coded self-adhesive labels (92.9%), SSL for vials (97.3%) and pre-prepared syringes (87.8%) were effective in reducing drug administration errors (DAE). Of all participants, 89.9% stated that they did not know DAE and 84.7% stated that they read the label each time before administration. AWs stated that DAE could be prevented through standard labeling procedures (47%), attention (23%), education (21%) and producing the vials in different sizes and colors (9%). Conclusion: AWs stated that developing and standardizing the vial labels, scheduling trainings, paying care and attention were important in prevention of labeling-related errors.