Therapeutic errors captured by the New Zealand National Poisons Centre: a retrospective audit.

INTRODUCTION Medication errors are one important cause of harm to patients. Information about medication errors can be obtained from diverse sources, including databases administered by poisons centres as part of their routine operation. AIM The aim of this study was to describe the data regarding therapeutic errors captured by the New Zealand National Poisons Centre (NZNPC).

Enquiries to the New Zealand National Poisons Centre in 2018.

Objective: A retrospective analysis of enquiries made to the New Zealand National Poisons Centre (NZNPC) in 2018; which includes direct contacts through telephone of caller, patient and exposure substance characteristics, and indirect contacts through the internet of page hits by New Zealand (NZ) healthcare professionals on the TOXINZ poisons information database.

Methods: All calls made to the NZNPC, and TOXINZ page hits by NZ based healthcare professionals, from 1 January to 31 December 2018 were analysed. For calls, caller location and relationship to the patient, reason and site for the exposure, patient demographics and the management advice given by NZNPC were described.

Poisoning following exposure to chemicals stored in mislabelled or unlabelled containers: a recipe for potential disaster.

Aim: To investigate poisoning exposures to chemicals that were unlabelled, mislabelled or not in their original containers in New Zealand over the last 10 years, based on calls to the New Zealand National Poisons Centre (NZNPC).

Methods: Call data from the NZNPC between 2003 and 2012 were analysed retrospectively. Parameters reviewed included patient age, route and site of exposure, product classification and recommended intervention.

Hypnosedative access and risk of harm.

Aim: To review PHARMAC's decision, effective 1 September 2010, to remove the 1-month restriction on funded prescription of hypnotics and anxiolytics.

Method: We consider the evidence for an association between access to these medicines and risk of harm.

Results: Prescription volumes and reported harms have both increased over the last decade in New Zealand; available studies and clinical experience suggest a causal link.