Take action now to prevent medication errors: lessons from a fatal error involving an automated dispensing cabinet.

Bowdle, T Andrew; Jelacic, Srdjan; Webster, Craig S; Merry, Alan F · Br J Anaesth · 2023

editorial · Level V

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Abstract

An error in the administration of an anaesthetic medication related to an automated dispensing cabinet resulted in a patient fatality and a highly publicised criminal prosecution of a healthcare worker, which concluded in 2022. Urgent action is required to re-engineer systems and workflows to prevent such errors. Exhortation, blame, and criminal prosecution are unlikely to advance the cause of patient safety.

Medical subject headings