Lab Error May Be Responsible for Two Patient Deaths
PHILADELPHIA, Pa-A laboratory worker's miscalculation may be responsible for the death of two hospital patients at St. Agnes Medical Center south of Philadelphia. There are 932 patients who were given miscalculated prescriptions because of the laboratory error.
Between June 4 and July 25, the dosage of Coumadin may have been incorrect because a laboratory worker reportedly misunderstood what type of chemical was being used. Coumadin is a blood-thinning drug patients are usually prescribed if they are at risk for a heart attack, stroke, or blood clots.
The hospital is releasing little information about the victims except that they were in their mid-80s to mid-90s. There are 58 patients were endangered or being retested because of the mistake. The miscalculation made it appear the patients' drug was clotting and they were in turn given higher doses of Coumadin.
The mistake was discovered after a patient contacted a physician about unusual lab results. Health authorities began notifying patients and physicians immediately after the error was uncovered.
Department of Health officials are continuing the investigation.
Information from www.washingtonpost.com
Together We Rise: Why AORN Expo 2025 Is a Must for Every Perioperative Nurse
March 31st 2025From April 5 to 8, 2025, thousands of perioperative nurses will gather in Boston for the 2025 AORN Global Surgical Conference & Expo—a transformational experience designed to elevate nursing practice, build lifelong connections, and advance surgical care.
Vet IP Roundtable 2: Infection Control and Biosecurity Challenges in Veterinary Care
March 31st 2025Veterinary IPs highlight critical gaps in cleaning protocols, training, and biosecurity, stressing the urgent need for standardized, animal-specific infection prevention practices across diverse care settings.
Invisible, Indispensable: The Vital Role of AHRQ in Infection Prevention
March 25th 2025With health care systems under strain and infection preventionists being laid off nationwide, a little-known federal agency stands as a last line of defense against preventable patient harm. Yet the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is now facing devastating cuts—threatening decades of progress in patient safety.
The Sterile Processing Conference Survival Guide: How to Make the Most of Your Next Event
March 25th 2025From expert speakers to cutting-edge tools, sterile processing conferences, like the 2025 HSPA Annual Conference and the SoCal SPA's Spring Conference, offer unmatched opportunities to grow your skills, expand your network, and strengthen your department's infection prevention game.
Redefining Material Compatibility in Sterilization: Insights From AAMI TIR17:2024
March 24th 2025AAMI TIR17:2024 provides updated, evidence-based guidance on material compatibility with sterilization modalities. It offers essential insights for medical device design and ensures safety without compromising functionality.
