Abstract:
The purposes of this study are to describe the adherence of drug use protocol for potassium chloride (KCL injection) in in-patients at Chaoprayayomraj hospital and to survey the opinions of working staffs. The data were collected and evaluated by reviewing medical records using the evaluation form and by observation during November 2007 to January 2008. Prescriptions of in-patient KCL injection were selected day by day from the computerized hospital information system. Questionnaire was used in gathering the opinions of working staffs about the protocol. The results were reported in terms of frequency, percentage, arithmetic mean and standard deviation.
There were 174 KCL injection prescriptions evaluated and a total of 12 storage sites surveyed which included, pharmacy drug stock, in-patient pharmacy dispensing unit, and 10 nursing units. The results revealed that overall adherence rate was 68%. There were 4 criteria that could be followed completely (100%); appropriate dosage ordering, apply warning sticker to KCL ampoule, dilution before using, and notify physician when patient have serum K+ > 5.3 mEq/L. There were poor adherence in 5 criteria; double check before dispensing (28%), double check before administration (19%), notify physician when heart rate was under 60 or over 100 bpm (15%), instruct the patient or patient’s care takers not to adjust the IV rate of KCL injection (5%), and monitoring symptoms of hypo-or hyper-kalemia (3%). Of 114 questionnaires, a response rate of 97%, it was shown that understanding of the KCL injection working protocol was 100% and 80% had read the protocol. There were 84% of staffs in this study (n=114) who agreed, 15% still, and 1% disagreed with the working protocol.
Although the protocol could not be followed completely, most of the staffs that had been informed agreed on the drug use protocol for KCL injection. Medication safety can be assured regardless of the working environment when the protocol adherence is strictly followed.