Alignment with the ISMP 2018–2019 Targeted Medication Safety Best Practices for Hospitals

Abstract

Despite the great strides in medication safety and the plethora of new medication-related technologies and devices in the United States over the last few decades, thousands of medication errors are still occurring each year. 1 Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) National Medication Error Reporting Database. in: Confidential Access. 2017 Google Scholar Unfortunately, with new innovation also come new sources of error. 2 Institute for Safe Medication Practices Understanding human over-reliance on technology. in: ISMP Medication Safety Alert!21 (18). 2016: 1-4 Google Scholar , 3 Lawes S Grissinger M Medication errors attributed to health information technology. PA-PSRS Patient Saf Advis. 2017; 14: 1-8 Google Scholar Although it is unreasonable to believe that any complex process involving human interaction with systems (such as medication use), will ever be error free, we can feel fortunate that not all errors result in patient harm. What is regrettable, however, is the portion of these events each year that are both harmful and preventable. 1 Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) National Medication Error Reporting Database. in: Confidential Access. 2017 Google Scholar Although national reporting of medication-related events to federally recognized patient safety organizations, such as the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP), has resulted in numerous documented changes to patient safety, 4 Institute for Safe Medication Practices Historical Timeline. http://www.ismp.org/about/timeline.aspDate accessed: November 5, 2017 Google Scholar in the continued analysis of medication-related events, ISMP has found that specific preventable medication-related events resurface and continue to result in serious outcomes and even patient deaths. 1 Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) National Medication Error Reporting Database. in: Confidential Access. 2017 Google Scholar Susan F. Paparella, Member, Bux-Mont Chapter, is Vice President at the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP ⁎ISMP is a nonprofit organization that works closely with health care practitioners, consumers, hospitals, regulatory agencies, and professional organizations to educate caregivers about preventing medication errors. ISMP is the premier international resource on safe medication practices in health care institutions. If you would like to report medication errors to help others, E-mail us at: [email protected] or call (800)FAIL-SAF(e). This Medication Error Reporting Program keeps information confidential and secure. We will include only the level of detail that the reporter wishes in our publication.ISMP is a nonprofit organization that works closely with health care practitioners, consumers, hospitals, regulatory agencies, and professional organizations to educate caregivers about preventing medication errors. ISMP is the premier international resource on safe medication practices in health care institutions. If you would like to report medication errors to help others, E-mail us at: [email protected] or call (800)FAIL-SAF(e). This Medication Error Reporting Program keeps information confidential and secure. We will include only the level of detail that the reporter wishes in our publication.), Horsham, PA.