Staffers had accidentally placed syringes filled with Dilaudid, a strong painkiller, in a morphine sulfate dispenser, according to the report. As a result, 18 doses of Dilaudid were given to emergency room patients instead of morphine sulfate between Aug. 24 and Aug. 31.
Hospital officials maintain that no patients were harmed by the medication errors. “We immediately reviewed all available information regarding patients who may have been impacted. The review revealed nothing to indicate that anyone was harmed in any way,” officials told Trib Live.
After the hospital was made aware of the issue, it notified the state and submitted a corrective action plan, which was approved by the state.
“We were alarmed by this unfortunate incident, and it has prompted us to examine every aspect of our medication distribution and administration process for opportunities to improve,” the hospital told Trib Live.
According to a Butler Eagle report, state officials visited Butler Memorial Oct. 30 and found no further recommendations for how the hospital could further improve.
More articles on medication errors:
Medication errors occur in half of all surgeries: 7 study findings
How to eliminate ‘never events’: 5 takeaways about EHR design, use error and patient harm
George Washington School of Public Health name 10 useful preventable harm resources
