Sequential drug verification errors resulting in wrong drug administration during caesarean section

An intravenous bolus of phentolamine was inadvertently given to a parturient during an emergency caesarean section following delivery of her infant when the intention had been to give an intravenous bolus of 5 IU Syntocinon. Root cause analysis identified a series of errors originating in the hospital pharmacy when one drug package was mistakenly issued in place of another. Subsequent checks failed to detect the original mistake. The final and most important check immediately before intravenous administration was also at fault. This case highlights a systems failure that permitted issue, transportation and administration of the wrong drug to a parturient. Robust measures to ensure avoidance of drug administration errors should be evaluated and introduced where possible.