Preparation of parenteral medicines in clinical areas: how can the risks be managed – a UK perspective?

Aims and objectives.  This article provides an overview of preparation of parenteral medicines in clinical areas. It describes the development of a tool to allow preparation of these medicines to be scored for risk. The article shows how this work was adopted by the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) and was subsequently issued as Patient Safety Alert 20 (Injectable Medicines). Background.  Although there are well‐established standards for preparation of parenteral medicines in pharmacy, there were no equivalent standards for their preparation in clinical areas, where risks to patients from medication error and microbiological contamination are greater. Use of a risk assessment process allows highest risk items to be targeted for transfer to pharmacy preparation. Defined standards and competency‐based training should reduce risk for preparation of those items remaining in clinical areas. Method.  Discursive. Conclusions.  This article identifies the risks involved in the preparation of parenteral medicines in clinical areas and describes ways in which these risks can be minimised. Relevance to clinical practice.  Use of risk assessment allows targeted transfer of high‐risk parenteral medicines to pharmacy preparation, where risks of medication error and microbiological contamination are lower. This transfer liberates nursing time for patient benefit.