{
  "abstract": "Background and Importance Continuous evaluation of medication errors in critical care units is essential to strengthen patient safety, reduce adverse events, and optimise pharmacotherapy outcomes.Aim and Objectives To describe medication incidents reported in the critical care units between January and October 2025, identifying the most frequent types, the most severe events, and the corrective or preventive actions implemented.Material and Methods A descriptive analysis was conducted based on reported medication errors. Variables such as care area, error risk, professional category, patient age, error process, severity, and implicated drugs were evaluated, especially high-risk medications. Severe errors were defined as those causing temporary or permanent harm requiring immediate intervention. Improvement actions implemented and conclusions drawn from each incident were systematically reviewed.Results A total of 80 incidents were recorded: 52 (65.0%) in paediatric and 28 (35.0%) in adult critical care. By risk level, incidents were mostly low risk (55.0%), followed by moderate (21.0%), very low (21.0%), and high (3.0%). The most affected age groups were patients under one year (22.5%) and 61–70 years (15%). The majority of incidents were reported by nursing staff (69.9%), followed by physicians (7.9%).Most errors occurred during administration (42.9%), followed by preparation (11.1%) and dispensing (6.3%). Regarding severity, no-harm events represented 54% of incidents, notifiable circumstances 26.0%, and near misses 5%. Twelve cases (15.0%) resulted in patient harm, predominantly of moderate severity (66.7%); no severe events were reported. Overall, 33.8% of incidents involved high-risk medications, mainly opioids and vasoactive drugs. Moderate and high-risk errors mainly involved morphine and fentanyl infusion pumps, including replacements beyond stability limits that led to expired drug administration. Other drugs related to harm included dopamine, furosemide, amiodarone, and fluid therapy solutions. Improvement strategies focused on process standardisation, double-check controls, and effective communication of safety procedures among healthcare professionals. These initiatives led to safer medication use, emphasising the value of sustained training programs and consistent evaluation of protocol compliance.Conclusion and Relevance Most medication incidents were low risk and related to administration. Implemented measures showed positive outcomes in reducing errors and improving adherence. Continuous training, standardised protocols, and regular audits remain key to minimising preventable harm and promote a robust culture of patient safety in critical care units.Conflict of Interest No conflict of interest",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Vall D’hebron University Hospital, Pharmacy Department, Barcelona, Spain"
      ],
      "name": "J Llata Ortega"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Vall D’hebron University Hospital, Pharmacy Department, Barcelona, Spain"
      ],
      "name": "C Raventós Aymar"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Vall D’hebron University Hospital, Intensive Care Department, Barcelona, Spain"
      ],
      "name": "X Nuvials Casals"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Vall D’hebron University Hospital, Intensive Care Department, Barcelona, Spain"
      ],
      "name": "L Vidal Tarrason"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Vall D’hebron University Hospital, Pharmacy Department, Barcelona, Spain"
      ],
      "name": "A Pau Parra"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Vall D’hebron University Hospital, Pharmacy Department, Barcelona, Spain"
      ],
      "name": "ÁGArévalo Bernabé"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Vall D’hebron University Hospital, Pharmacy Department, Barcelona, Spain"
      ],
      "name": "M Guerra González"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Vall D’hebron University Hospital, Pharmacy Department, Barcelona, Spain"
      ],
      "name": "E Vallvé Alcón"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Vall D’hebron University Hospital, Pharmacy Department, Barcelona, Spain"
      ],
      "name": "R López Martínez"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Vall D’hebron University Hospital, Pharmacy Department, Barcelona, Spain"
      ],
      "name": "MQ Gorgas Torner"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Vall D’hebron University Hospital, Pharmacy Department, Barcelona, Spain"
      ],
      "name": "L Doménech Moral"
    }
  ],
  "title": "5PSQ-119 Monitoring, analysis, and prevention of medication errors in critical care units during 2025",
  "uid": "de431066-f6a6-5c5a-94ad-6796866856f5"
}