Study results suggest using color to differentiate drug strength can be effective in improving medication safety, according to a study published in the Journal of Patient Safety.
For the study, researchers required study subjects to search for medicine packages of a particular strength in a group of distracter packages of different strengths in a visual search paradigm. Reaction time and errors were measured.
Color helped the subjects accurately and efficiently differentiate drug strength information. Shape differentiation, on the other hand, did not improve search times and did not improve search accuracy.
Read the study about using color to differentiate medication strength.
Read other coverage about medication safety:
- U.S. Pharmacopeia Proposes New Ideas to Increase Medication Safety
- Massachusetts General Hospital Faces Lawsuit Following Fatal Medication Error
- Ensure Safe Medication Practices in a Surgery Center, Practical Solutions and Rules Overview
For the study, researchers required study subjects to search for medicine packages of a particular strength in a group of distracter packages of different strengths in a visual search paradigm. Reaction time and errors were measured.
Color helped the subjects accurately and efficiently differentiate drug strength information. Shape differentiation, on the other hand, did not improve search times and did not improve search accuracy.
Read the study about using color to differentiate medication strength.
Read other coverage about medication safety:
- U.S. Pharmacopeia Proposes New Ideas to Increase Medication Safety
- Massachusetts General Hospital Faces Lawsuit Following Fatal Medication Error
- Ensure Safe Medication Practices in a Surgery Center, Practical Solutions and Rules Overview