Grading Errors--Definition of life saving intervention

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Randi Trope
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Joined: 06/29/2013 - 21:42
Grading Errors--Definition of life saving intervention

Can you humor me and grade the below scenarios for medication errors? We have had an active discussion about what constitutes life saving intervention....

1) Heparin overdose given but noted before any bleeding complications and protamine given.
2) Hydralazine overdose given and patient became significantly hypotensive requiring fluid bolus and norepinephrine infusion
3) Paralytic given accidentally to an intubated patient that was getting ready for extubation. Reversal agent given
4) Morphine overdose given and patient had shallow breathing requiring high flow nasal cannula and end tidal monitoring.
5) Heparin overdose given and patient had bleeding requiring transfusions/FFP and protamine.

The NCC MERP algorithm defines life saving intervention as cardiac and respiratory support however, the line is fuzzy (for us at least) when it comes to vasoactive infusions and even #5 above.

Thanks for your time.