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High
Alert
Drugs
JCI Definition
High Alert Medications:
Adrenergic Agonists
Adrenergic Antagonists
Anaesthetic Agents
Epidural or intrathecal
Medications
Inotropic Medications
Sedation Agents
Narcotics/ Opiates
Radiocontrast Agents
Concentrated Electrolytes
Insulin
Anticoagulants
Dangerous Drugs
Oxycodone
Hyrdocodone
Diazepam
Temazepam
Alprazolam
Doxylamine
JCI Requirements
Concentrated Electrolytes
Potassium Chloride
2mEq/ml
Potassium Phosphate
3mmol/ml
Sodium Chloride 0.9%
Magnesium Sulphate
50%
Correction of
metabolic acidosis.
Avoid extravasation.
IV tubing must be
carefully irrigated
with 5-10ml Normal
Saline after
administration.
Magnesium Sulphate
2.47g/5ml
Continuous infusion in
large volume Dextrose
5% or Normal Saline.
Administer slowly at a
rate not exceeding 0.71.8mEq/min.
Avoid mixing with
Phosphates,
Bicarbonates or
Sulphates.
Potassium Dihydrogen
Phosphate 1.361g/10ml
Compatible with
Dextrose 5% or
Normal Saline.
Administered by
slow infusion to
avoid phosphate
intoxication.
A non-selective
antimuscarinic with
both central and
peripheral actions.
SC, IM, slow IV or
in solution as
continuous infusion.
In case of
emergency, IV
bolus.
Non-selective
adrenoceptor stimulant.
SC, IM, slow IV or IV
infusion.
If given IM, avoid
buttocks. Give IV if blood
circulation inadequate.
Intravenous administration
should be done with
extreme care, infusion
should be stopped when a
response is obtained.
Initiates anticoagulation
rapidly.
Symptoms of heparininduced thrombocytopenia
include 50% reduction of
platelet count, thrombosis or
skin allergy.
Inhibition of aldosterone may
result in hyperkalemia.
Administration by motorised
pump advised.
Streptokinase 1.5Miu
Labetalol 25mg/5ml
-antagonist with
arteriolar vasodilating
action.
Lower peripheral
resistance.
IV over 1 min or IV
infusion.
Dilute to at least 1mg/ml.
Propranolol 1mg/ml
Ephedrine 30mg/ml
Vasoconstrictor
sympathomimetic
Acts on -receptors to
increase heart rate.
Slow IV for reversal of
hypotension from
spinal or epidural
anaesthesia.
Vasoconstrictor
sympathomimetic.
Non-selective agonist.
IV infusion dilute 40mg
to 500mls, give through
central venous catheter.
Rapid IV or intracardiac
during cardiac arrest
@200mcg/ml.
Nimodipine 200mcg/ml
Smooth muscle
relaxant effect
especially on cerebral
arteries.
Administer via
infusion pump
through a Y-piece into
a central catheter; do
not add to infusion
container.
Incompatible with
PVC giving sets/
containers.
Nicardipine 2mg/2ml
Relaxes vascular
smooth muscle and
dilates coronary and
peripheral arteries.
Less reduction of
myocardial
contractility.
IV bolus or infusion
of 10-20mg/100ml.
Digoxin 0.5mg/2ml
Dose tailored to
patient age, lean
body weight and
renal function.
IV infusion for
emergencies.
Dilute 0.5mg in
500mls given over 2
hours.
Dobutamine 250mg
Must be given by
intravenous
infusion.
Diluted
concentration 0.51mg/ml,
concentrated
dilutions of 5mg/ml
must be given via
infusion pump.
Incompatible with
bicarbonate.
Dopamine 200mg/5ml
Intravenous
infusion.
Dilute to maximum
concentration of
3.2mg/ml.
Incompatible with
bicarbonate.
Pamidronate
Reconstitute with
10ml WFI and mix
well.
Dilute on 1000ml
0.45 or 0.9% NaCl or
Dextrose 5%.
Infuse over 2-24
hours.
Give in a separate IV
line, do not mix with
other drugs.
Neuromuscular Blocking
Agents
Vecuronium
(Norcuron) 4mg/ml
Rocuronium
(Esmeron) 50mg/5ml
Pancuronium
(Pavulon) 4mg/2ml
Atracurium (Tracrium)
25mg/2.5ml
Suxamethonium
100mg/2ml
Anaesthetic Agents
Frusemide 20mg/ml
Loop diuretic.
IM, slow IV or
infusion.
Tinnitus and
deafness with
large IV doses
and rapid
administration.
Compounded By:
Illegible handwriting
Incomplete knowledge of new drugs
Similar packaging or labeling
Similar clinical use
Similar strengths
Sound-Alike, Look-Alike
Sound-Alike, Look-Alike
How To Improve
Independent Double-Check
A procedure in which TWO
Error-prone Abbreviations
Misinterpretation of unfamiliar
abbreviation can cause harmful
medication error.
Trailing zero after
decimal point
Lonely decimal point
IU-mistaken as 10 or IV
QD or q.d.-mistaken as
qid
U or -mistaken as number 0 or 4, causing
10-fold overdose
Error-prone Abbreviations
MgSO4 mistaken as
Morphine Sulphate
MS/MS04 mistaken as
magnesium sulphate
Drug Name and Dose run together
especially drug names
ending with l can be
mistaken as 1.
Numerical dose and unit run together U
mistaken as another
0.
Storage
Ensure high-alert
medications are
not easily
accessible.
Additional
safeguards to
usage and
administration in
policy.
Storage
Storage
Storage
Labeling
Additional warning
labeling:
High Alert Drug
Dilute Before Use
Labeling
Safe Systems
Safe Systems
Organizational safety
infrastructure supports
training, best practices
and annual
recertification.
Safe Systems
Limit Access
Concentrated
electrolytes treated as
a controlled
substance, including
requirements that
restrict ordering and
establish storage and
documentation
requirements.
Is 5 Enough?
Documentation
Expiry Date
Allergy
Appropriateness
Contraindications
Explaination
Double Check
Questions?