1. and what you can do to minimize their occurrence
Medication incidents
and what you can do to minimize their occurrence
Roxine Yong, RPhT

2. What is a medication incident?
A medication incident, also referred to as a medication error, is a mistake with medication, or a problem that could cause a mistake with medication. Medication incidents are generally preventable and include errors like receiving the wrong medication or dose, or using the wrong route of administration.
Medication incidents may involve a range of health products, including prescription and non-prescription drugs and natural health products. The health effects of a medication incident can range from no harm to very serious harm, even death.

3. How do these incidences occur?
disorganized work flow
fatigued staff
frequent interruptions and distractions
poor physician handwriting
emphasis on volume over service quality
stress
ineffective communication with patients
improper technician training
a pattern of inadequate staffing.

4. One Simple solution for medication safety

5. Human resources More technical work should be done by technicians
Clear checking procedures for technicians and pharmacists
Well defined roles and job descriptions for all functions in the dispensary
Work in teams
Staff meetings to address annual and regular reviews and discussions after errors

6. Physical layout updates
Minimize distractions
Keep traffic flow in the dispensary at a minimum
Adequate space to perform each function
Non dispensing functions, such as stock control, filing etc., should be separated from the prescription filling area
Ensure adequate storage space to minimize clutter
Large work counter for technicians and a system in place for checking
Separate pharmacist service counter, where pharmacists discuss therapy with patients, from the rest of the dispensing process
Work flow should facilitate pharmacist review with profile and patient without interruptions
Electronic exchange of information to enhance prescription legibility, provide patient history, diagnosis, etc.

7. For more information