Medication Errors
Monograph
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Course Summary
Medical errors are a significant problem in the healthcare system. One of the most pervasive medical errors that are responsible for considerable patient harm is medication error. A medication error may occur at any point from prescription, administration, and through monitoring of a drug. Medication errors may be reduced or prevented with an understanding of the root causes of medication errors, followed by the implementation of policies, procedures, or systemic changes that can address these root causes and create a safer health care system for patients. This course is registered with ACPE as a -05 patient safety course.
Course Objectives
Identify and define medication errors
Identify the root causes of medication errors
Describe and know how to reduce and prevent medication errors
Identify and Describe the pharmacist’s role in educating patients to help patients participate in preventing medication errors
I. Introduction
II. Medication Errors: Definition and Scope
III. Types of Medication Errors
1. Prescribing Errors
2. Transcription Errors
3. Preparation and Administration Errors
4. Dispensing and Monitoring Errors
IV. High-Alert Medications
V. Root Causes of Medication Errors
1. Lack of Training or Education
2. Unavailability of Guidelines for Medication Administration
3. Interruptions
4. Fragmentation of Medication Information and Poor Communication
5. Failure to Follow the Rights of Medication Administration
6. Time Constraints
VI. Medication Error Reduction Strategies
1. Standardized Medication Use Protocols
2. Computerized Systems
3. Education to Fill Knowledge Gaps
4. Pharmacy Workflow Strategies
5. Pharmacist-led Educational Interventions
6. Pharmacist-led Medication Reconciliation Programs
7. “Rights” of Medication Administration
8. High-Alert Medications in Acute Care Settings
9. Awareness of Error-Prone Abbreviations
10. Medication Errors Reporting Program (MERP)
11. Patient Education
12. Pharmacist Involvement with Over-the-counter (OTC) Medications
VII. Reporting Medication Errors
VIII. Disclosing Medication Errors to the Patient
IX. Summary
- Read the course objectives and faculty planner disclosure
- Read the course material
- Complete the post-test with a minimum score of 70% and complete the course evaluation form.
- Results are automatically submitted to CPE Monitor
Faculty Planner Disclosure
The following individuals were involved in the development of this activity: Susan DePasquale, MSN, PMHNP-BC, Amanda Mayer, PharmD, and Jeff Goldberg, PharmD. There are no financial relationships relevant to this activity to report or disclose by any of the individuals involved in the development of this activity.
Unlabeled Use Disclosures
The information provided in this course is general in nature and it is solely designed to provide participants with continuing education credit(s). This course and materials are not meant to substitute for the independent, professional judgment of any participant regarding that participant’s professional practice, including but not limited to patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Medical and pharmacy practices, rules, and laws vary from state to state, and this course does not cover the laws of each state; therefore, participants must consult the laws of their state as they relate to their professional practice. Healthcare professionals, including pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, must consult with their employer, healthcare facility, hospital, or other organization, for guidelines, protocols, and procedures they are to follow. The information provided in this course does not replace those guidelines, protocols, and procedures but is for academic purposes only, and this course’s limited purpose is for the completion of continuing education credits. Participants are advised and acknowledge that information related to medications, their administration, dosing, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, warnings, precautions, or accepted uses are constantly changing, and any person taking this course understands that such person must make an independent review of medication information prior to any patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Any discussion of off-label use of any medication, device, or procedure is informational only and such uses are not endorsed hereby. Nothing contained in this course represents the opinions, views, judgments, or conclusions of RxCe.com LLC. RxCe.com LLC is not liable or responsible to any person for any inaccuracy, error, or omission with respect to this course, or course material.
Computer Hardware/Software Requirements
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- Target Audience: Pharmacist
- Contact Hours: 2.0 (0.2 CEUs)
- Activity Release Date: 9/6/2022
- Activity Expiration Date: 9/6/2025
- Activity Type: Knowledge
- UAN: 0669-0000-22-035-H05-P
- Topic: Patient Safety
- CeBroker Number: 20-943412
Author:
RxCe.com, LLC is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.