Multiple High-Risk Events Involving Workflow for Wasting of Medications Used by Anesthesia | PSNet

Multiple High-Risk Events Involving Workflow for Wasting of Medications Used by Anesthesia | PSNet

Multiple High-Risk Events Involving Workflow for Wasting of Medications Used by Anesthesia

In this WebM&M case, a patient was mistakenly administered intravenous fentanyl that was left over from a previous patient and not immediately wasted. Experts recommend the best practice for the safe disposal, or “waste”, of medications in the surgical setting is to either waste any leftover product immediately after administration or to fully document all waste at the end of the case. This commentary discusses the policies and procedures addressing wasting of medication by anesthesiologists, approaches to reduce medication administration errors, and the importance identifying process gaps that could lead to potential diversion.