Accreditation surveyors may approach any acute unit — not just those scheduled for service area audits — about how we handle medications every day.
Watch for more Medication Safety Committee Bulletins on your unit and always on VCH Connect.
That’s why it’s important for you to review all Medication Safety Committee Bulletins. Four bulletins have been posted this month. For an overview of the medication management standards our latest bulletins cover and how you can make these standards part of your standard work processes, keep reading.
Bulletin #8: “7 Rights” to consider when administering medication
Bulletin #8 lists what factors are evaluated when a medication is being considered for ward stock. The decision to include a medication must balance safety with urgent requirements for the medication.
This bulletin also lists the “7 Rights” you must consider when administering any medication:
- Right client (use two patient-specific identifiers)
- Right medication
- Right dose
- Right route
- Right date/time
- Right reason
- Right documentation/reporting
Bulletin #9: How to prepare and administer cytotoxic agents in the hospital
Bulletin #9 discusses the safety procedures in place for preparing and administering cytotoxic agents in the hospital, including:
- cytotoxic precautionary period
- signage
- safe handling
- personal protective equipment
- disposal
What to do in the case of accidental exposure and how to clean up a cytotoxic spill are also covered in this bulletin.
Bulletin #10: Medication reconciliation for safe transition of care
Medication reconciliation is covered in Bulletin #10.This is a formalized, standard process to record a patient’s medication history, in conjunction with the patient or caregiver, and to determine which medications are needed at a transition of care. Vancouver Acute Services has completed medication reconciliation on admission — read all about in a previous story.
Bulletin #11: The risks of hoarding medications
The risks of hoarding medications are discussed in Bulletin #11. Using hoarded drugs negates the detailed pharmacy review before drugs are dispensed. The potential exists for missing several safety checks before the medication reaches the patient. There’s also the risk of hoarded medication expiring while stored on the unit. Check the bulletin for examples of errors made due to hoarding.
This bulletin also discusses scope of practice for RNs and LPNs, and reviews the Practice Standard Principles as set out by the College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia.
Learn more about medication safety
These and previous bulletins are all available on VCH Connect for you to review or print. Because these bulletins contain information that is part of what we do every day, future bulletins will cover the same topics with some modifications.
With our accreditation survey coming up November 26 to 30, it’s more important than ever that we’re familiar with medication management standards. Make them part of your standard work processes, too.
Vancouver Accreditation … it’s what we do every day.