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The Nebraska Medical Center took steps Thursday to prevent medication dose errors from harming another patient, administrators said at an early evening news conference.
Hospital officials are trying to determine how a Texas toddler who died Wednesday at the Medical Center was given an overdose of a commonly used blood thinner, Heparin.
The drug appears to have been a factor in the death of Almariah Duque, a 23-month-old girl from Dallas, officials said. The girl had undergone multiple organ transplants in December and was back at the hospital, having been readmitted because of an infection.
"First and foremost, we want to share our prayers and our condolences and express our sincerest apology to the Duque family," Chief Nursing Officer Rosanna Morris said. "They are a beautiful family that had lots of dreams and hopes for their child."
Among the steps taken: The hospital has put in technology to stop heparin infusions that exceed maximum allowable doses, and a second nurse will now verify in writing that a Heparin dosage is accurate.
Andrea McMaster, a hospital spokeswoman, said the hospital is trying to determine how the overdose occurred and what role it played in her death.
The drug is used to decrease the clotting ability of the blood and help prevent harmful clots from forming in blood vessels, according to the Mayo Clinic. It also is used to prevent blood clotting during certain surgeries.
Heparin gained attention three years ago after the newborn twins of actor Dennis Quaid nearly died from an overdose. The twins recovered.
There have been other overdoses and deaths nationally involving Heparin, said Allen Vaida of the Institute for Safe Medication Practices, a nonprofit group based in Pennsylvania.
He said Heparin, unlike some other drugs, can cause immediate problems for patients if given in too big of a dose. One reason is that as a blood thinner it can cause internal bleeding, which can be life-threatening, he said.
He said there can be confusion among health-care workers administering the drug because it comes in a number of different strengths.
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444-1122, michael.oconnor@owh.com
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