drugs
Drug Errors
Dispensing and administering drugs
Drugs may be given incorrectly in institutions. A drug may be given to the wrong person, at the wrong time, or by the wrong route. For instance, a drug may be given by vein (intravenously) when it is supposed to be given by mouth. Certain drugs must be given slowly when given by vein, and some drugs cannot be given at the same time. Many institutions now have computerized pharmacy systems that dispense each dose of the person's drugs labeled with a bar code that is scanned and matched with the person's identification bracelet. Such systems may help decrease the incidence of drug errors. 