Patient
|
Severity of illness
|
|
Strongest predictor of ADE [25,34]
|
|
ICU patients more likely to experience ADE than patients in other units [35]
|
|
Extreme of ages
|
|
Increased susceptibility to ADEs [2,78]
|
|
Prolonged hospitalization
|
|
Increased exposure and susceptibility to ADEs [2,78]
|
|
Sedation
|
|
Patients unable to participate in care and defend themselves against errors [9]
|
Medications
|
Types of medications
|
|
Frequent use of boluses and infusions [9]
|
|
Weight-based infusions derived from estimated weights or unreliable determinations [79]
|
|
Mathematical calculations required for medication dosages [9]
|
|
Programming of infusion pumps [44]
|
|
Number of medications
|
|
Twice as many medications prescribed as for patients in other units [35]
|
|
Increased probability of medication error and medication interactions [35]
|
|
Number of interventions
|
|
Increased risk of complications [80]
|
ICU environment
|
Complex environment
|
|
Difficult working conditions make errors more probable [81]
|
|
High stress [20]
|
|
High turnover of patients and providers [82,83]
|
|
Emergency admissions
|
|
Risk of an adverse event increases by approximately 6% per day [25,84]
|
|
Multiple care providers
|
|
Challenges the integration of different care plans [83]
|