Evaluation of the adherence to a new potassium chloride storage and handling hospital protocol: an observational study.

The study aim to deal with problem of manage potassium chloride concentrate solution after the introduction of a new protocol on correct use (storage and handling) of these drugs in a high specialization-teaching hospital. The study, conducted from January 2009 to March 2009, was divided in two part: observation of the compliance of concentrated electrolytes solutions storage in 14 wards and prospective observational study on the compliance to the new protocol in the steps of prescription, preparation and administration of these drugs. 49 preparations and administrations of electrolytes solutions were observed. Medical prescriptions were made in a dedicated schedule in 40.8% (20/49), in therapy sheet in 36.7% (18/49), in 14.3% (7/49) the prescription was verbal and after written. Patient identified data was present in 85.7% of cases, solvent type in 61.2%, prescription date in 69.4%, prescription hour in 10.2%, signature of prescriptor in 77.6%, administration speed in 57.1%, administration date in 71.4%, administration hour in 32.7%. Data show a scarce knowledge of the protocol by the physicians or a difficulty in using an additional schedule respect to the existent. Lack of the prescriptor's signature was an important problem such as the absence of speed, date and hour of administration.