[Comparison of semitransparent colored labels with opaque colored labels for prevention of adverse drug administration].

BACKGROUND

We made a semitransparent color label to supplement a demerit of an opaque color label for prevention of adverse drug administration, and evaluated whether a semitransparent color label is superior to an opaque color label.

METHODS

We prepared a total of 16 syringes (8 colors; two syriges of each color) in the opaque (NC) group and in the semitransparent (CL) group. Each ten subjects were asked to pick up the same drug label alternately in each group, and we measured the time and the number of syringes until the examinee can pick up the five correct syringes. We also examined the adhesiveness of the label to the syringe for six hours in each group.

RESULTS

The time and syringe number until the examinee could pick up five correct syringes were 24.6+/-4.6 seconds and 16.2+/-2.7 in NC group (P= 0.0004) and 10.9+/-3.7 seconds and 6.5+/-1.7 in CL group, respectively (n-10, each, P <0.0001). In CL group the label adhered to the syringes tightly for six hours, whereas all the labels in NC group were detached (P<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

The semitransparent color label is superior to the opaque color label in discrimination and adhesion.