Some drugs can cause devastating harm for patients if accidentally used in error. That’s why the latest VA Medication Safety Committee Bulletin focuses on High Alert Medications.
The bulletin features the ISMP list of High Alert Medications – both by type and name – such as adrenergic agonists, inotropic medications, narcotics/opiods and many others.
VA will start by focusing on heparins, concentrated electrolytes, HYDROmorphone and morphine. The bulletin addresses potential errors by explaining safety standards for these items.
Heightened safety protocols include removing items from patient care areas, requiring pharmacy verification before Omnicell access, limiting multiple strengths of the same drug on the units and other steps.
In the light of Vancouver Community of Care Accreditation 2012, we’re taking a closer look at our everyday processes and ongoing quality improvement in how we work with and for our patients.
In other words, medication safety is what we do every day.
Look for the Med Safety bulletins posted on your unit, or find them archived online.