Transcript Medication Memos - MultiCare Health System

JCAHO National Patient Safety Goal
Look-Alike/Sound-Alike (LASA) Medications
March 21, 2008
JCAHO requires all facilities to identify a list of look-alike/sound-alike (LASA) medications used in the
organization and take action to prevent errors involving the interchange of these drugs. At MultiCare
this list is reviewed and updated annually at the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee. Items on
Table 1 are physically separated in all pharmacy and nursing units, a computer alert is added to
caution pharmacists during order entry and LASA labels are placed on pharmacy shelves. Items on
Table 2 are not separated but a computer alert is added to caution pharmacists during order entry
and LASA labels are placed on pharmacy shelves. For 2008, Novolin/Novolog have been placed in
Table 1 vs. Table 2. Lantus/Lente have been removed since Lente Insulin is no longer available and
edetate disodium and edetate calcium disodium have been added to Table 2.
The MultiCare Look-Alike/Sound-Alike (LASA) medications include:
Table 1.
1.
Ephedrine/Epinephrine
2.
Etoposide/Etoposide phosphate
3.
Lipid based vs. standard Amphotericin
4.
Lipid based vs. standard Doxorubicin
5.
Morphine oral solution/concentrate
6.
Novolin/Novolog
7.
Oxycodone oral solution/concentrate
8.
Vincristine/Vinblastine
Table 2.
1.
Celebrex/Celexa/Cerebyx
2.
Depakote/Depakote ER/Depakene
3.
Edetate Disodium/Edetate Calcium Disodium
4.
Hydroxyzine/Hydralazine
5.
Lamisil/Lamictal/Lamotrigine
6.
Serzone/Seroquel
7.
Tegretol/Tegretol XR/Carbatrol ER
8.
Tramadol/Trazodone
9.
Wellbutrin SR/Wellbutrin XL
For more information regarding Look-Alike/Sound-Alike Medications go to the MHS Intranet and read
the 2008 JCAHO National Patient Safety Goals – requirement 3C.