Safety & quality

National recommendations for user-applied labelling of medicines, fluids and lines

Labelling of injectable medicines, fluids and lines has been identified as a significant patient safety issue and is a recognised risk in the safe administration of injectable medicines.

Clear, standardised labelling of injectable medicines and fluids by the user at the point of delivery should help to reduce the risk of medicine administration errors.

The development of standard Labelling Recommendations by the Australian Commission on Quality and Safety in Health Care is aimed at enhancing safe medicine use and reducing the risk of medication error.

In November 2010, Australia’s Health Ministers endorsed the National Recommendations for User-applied Labelling of Medicines, Fluids and Lines for implementation in Australian health services.

Implementation pack

Information

Ordering your labels

South Australian public hospitals should order their labels via the Oracle Corporate System

Posters

South Australian Change Register

South Australian hospitals have the opportunity to submit suggestions and feedback for amendments to a state register which will be submitted to the national register. Major amendments will only be considered if accompanied by supporting audit data.