ABSTRACT
This chapter explains how Japanese clinicians have handled Potassium chloride (KCl) concentrate solutions under the safety policy recommended by authoritative institutions, examining at patterns of collective and individual behaviour of clinicians and their determinants. KCl Patient safety alerts that recommend protocols for safer handling of KCl concentrate solutions in hospitals have been issued. Observation of medication practice at inpatient areas: Information about actual handling of KCl concentrate solutions was obtained from ward pharmacists who had the opportunity to directly observe medication practices of physicians and nurses in patient care areas. The chapter illustrates the adaptive behaviour of Japanese clinicians and hospitals in response to authoritative safety recommendations regarding the handling of KCl concentrate solutions. Patterns of adaptive behaviour were based on simple rules: maximising patient benefit, pursuing work efficiency and fixing problems in local systems within one's authority.
