Evaluation of color-coded drug labeling to identify endovenous medicines

To analyze the opinion of nursing professionals on the design, practicality of use and the usefulness of color-coded drug labeling in a pediatric intensive care unit.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study with 42 nursing professionals. A structured questionnaire was used based on a five-level Likert scale. To assess the proportions, a binomial test was used.

Results:

Concordance ratio >0.8 for all propositions related to design, practicality and most of the propositions related to error prevention.

Conclusion:

According to the opinion of the nursing team, the implemented technology has an adequate design, as well as being practical and useful in the prevention of medication errors in the population at the ICU.

Descriptors:
Medication Errors; Patient Safety; Intensive Care Units; Drug Labeling; Technology

Drug Class	Examples	Standardized color
Induction Agents	Thiopental, Ketamine	Yellow
Tranquilizers	Dizepam, Midalozam	Orange
Muscle Relaxants	Vecuronium, Pancuronium	Fluorescent red
Narcotics	Fentanyl, Morphine	Blue
Narcotic Antagonists	Narcan/Naloxone	White and blue diagonal stripes
Vasopressors	Adrenaline, Dopamine	Violet
Hypotensive Agents	Nitroglycerin, Sodium nitrite	White and violet diagonal stripes
Local Anesthetics	Lidocaine	Gray
Anticholinergic Agents	Atropine<0	Green

Propositions	Median	IQR	CI	P Value
Design
Is the use of the drug nomenclature appropriate?	0.75	0.25	0.82 - 0.99	0.999
Are the dimensions of the label adequate?	1	0	0.89 - 1.0	1
Is the color coding in accordance with the drug class/action acceptable?	1	0	0.89 - 1.0	1
Is the text on labels readable?	1	0	0.89-1	1
Error prevention
Is the capital letter used at the beginning of the drug nomenclature on labels helping to differentiate the names of similar drugs?	1	0	0.89-1	1
Was the place of the color used useful to identify the drug?	1	0	0.89-1	1
Was the standardization of red lettering on a white background in high-risk drugs with no color coding useful to help in their identification?	1	0	0.89 - 1	1
Is it necessary to handle the drug label to identify an E-V line?	0	0.25	0 - 0.10	<0.0001
Practicality of use
Are the labels long-lasting throughout their use?	1	0	0.89-1	1
Does is make the identification of E-V lines, infusion pumps and saline solution pouches easier?	1	0	0.89-1	1
Is it more helpful to have pre-printed labels rather than handwritten labels?	1	0	0.89 - 1	1
Does the range of labels available cover most drugs administered through continuous infusion at the ICU?	1	0	0.89 - 1	1

Associação Brasileira de Enfermagem SGA Norte Quadra 603 Conj. "B" - Av. L2 Norte 70830-102 Brasília, DF, Brasil, Tel.: (55 61) 3226-0653, Fax: (55 61) 3225-4473 - Brasília - DF - Brazil
E-mail: reben@abennacional.org.br

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[1] Corresponding Author: Nayana Maria Gomes de Souza. E-mail: nayanamgs@hotmail.com