Mix-ups with decimal points can lead to ten-fold dosing errors

April 2012

Mix-ups with decimal points can lead to ten-fold dosing errors.

Misplaced decimal points are well-known for being the culprits of terrible med errors. For example, mistaking Coumadin 1.0 mg for Coumadin 10 mg means that a patient would get TEN times the intended amount of the blood thinner...and could lead to serious bleeding events.

Watch decimal points closely. Being off one decimal point means a patient will receive ten times too much or too little of a medication.

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Mix-ups with decimal points can lead to ten-fold dosing errors

Practical advice for a better career, with unlimited access to CE

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