Influenza, zoster, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and the diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis adsorbed (DTaP) are among the most common vaccines involved in medication errors in the United States, according to a new report from the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP). The other most common problematic vaccines include Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate, Tdap, DTaP-IPV, human papillomavirus (HPV4), and measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV).
Influenza, zoster, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and the diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis adsorbed (DTaP) are among the most common vaccines involved in medication errors in the United States, according to a new report from the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP). The other most common problematic vaccines include Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate, Tdap, DTaP-IPV, human papillomavirus (HPV4), and measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV).
ISMP, which established the ISMP National Vaccine Errors Reporting Program with the California Department of Health in September, 2012, also found that unfamiliarity with the vaccine and mistakes in choosing age-dependent formulations of vaccines are among the most common factors in vaccine errors.
The other common contributing factors associated with vaccine errors include: failure to check or verify the patient’s age, health record, or state registry; similar vaccine names and abbreviations; similar and confusing vaccine labeling and packaging, unsafe storage conditions; and expiration dates not noticed or misunderstood.
“While the immediate impact of a vaccine-related error on a patient may not be serious, such errors may render the vaccine ineffective or reduce its effectiveness, leaving patients unprotected against serious diseases…,” ISMP wrote in the March 13, 2014, edition of ISMP MedicationSafetyAlert!
While vaccine errors are prevalent, the ISMP provides a number of recommendations for practitioners to safely administer vaccines. They include:
View the full list of ISMP’s recommendations for avoiding vaccine administration errors at: http://www.ismp.org/newsletters/acutecare/issues/20140313.pdf.