Sign up now for the next MSOS Member Briefing webinar scheduled to be held on Thursday, July 23, 2020 from 1:00-2:00 PM ET.
Register Now: https://ecri.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qKo3g7JkT3KgblfLClqEOw

Short medication safety-related presentations for this webinar will include:

• Eliminating Inadvertent Exposure with Patient Specific Scanning of Multi-Use Medications
Steve Mogridge PA-C, Medication Safety Manager, Spectrum Health
Megan Fletcher PharmD, Director of Pharmacy, Spectrum Health

• The Medication Safety Minute
Eileen Relihan PhD (Pharm), MSc.(Hosp Pharm), BSc.(Pharm), Dip LQH, MPSI, Medication Safety Facilitator, St. James’s Hospital Dublin, Ireland

•Pharmacy & Anesthesia: A Match Made in Medication Standardization and Safety Heaven
Jameika M. Stuckey PharmD, BCACP Medication Safety Manager University of Mississippi Medical Center

ISMP has received multiple reports recently about fentaNYL patches being inappropriately prescribed for opioid-naïve, elderly patients upon discharge from a hospital and transfer to a long-term care facility. This week’s ISMP newsletter featured article presents recommendations for system safeguards to avoid the risk of patient harm. For more, see: https://ismp.org/node/18707

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our survey on the level of implementation of the two new 2020-2021 Targeted Medication Safety Best Practices (TMSBPs) for Hospitals was put on hold. As crisis mode begins to diminish, we would appreciate your participation in this survey regardless of whether you have implemented the Best Practices.. The survey is available at: www.ismp.org/ext/350 and will be open through July 17, 2020. Since we are only conducting the survey on the two new Best Practices, it should only take you about 5 minutes to complete. You can view all the TMSBPs by going to: www.ismp.org/node/160

Due to shortages of neuromuscular blocking agents needed for critically ill COVID-19 patients, the FDA has allowed temporary manufacture of these drugs without the usual statement: “Warning: Paralyzing Agent” on the vial cap. The lack of a warning statement may make vials look similar to other medications and lead to possible confusion and errors. For ISMP recommendations to avoid mix-ups and ensure safe storage, visit: https://ismp.org/node/18346

A single strategy, particularly one as weak as education alone, is rarely enough to change behaviors and prevent medication errors. Instead, numerous high-leverage risk-reduction strategies than improve system reliability must be layered together to create a more robust safety system. For more on education’s weaknesses as an intervention and a list of key ISMP strategies for improvement, see the latest ISMP newsletter featured article: https://ismp.org/node/1834

Sign up now for the next MSOS Member Briefing webinar scheduled to be held on Thursday, May 21, 2020 from 1:00-2:00 PM ET.
Register Now: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2781804406535452939

Short medication safety-related presentations for this webinar will include:

• Medication Safety in the Perioperative Area
Allison Hanson, PharmD, BCPS
2019-2020 ISMP International Medication Safety Management Fellow
Institute for Safe Medication Practices

• Training on Just Culture and Responding to Events Using a Decision Tree
Rabih Dabliz, PharmD, FISMP
Senior Manager, Quality & Medication Safety Services
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi

• ISMP Update
Michael R. Cohen, RPh, MS, ScD (hon.), DPS (hon.), FASHP
President
Institute for Safe Medication Practices

Please see this special alert posted by ISMP regarding inaccuracies in electronically generated medication histories. Read here: https://ismp.org/node/17670

This week ISMP’s special edition newsletter provides information on a near miss dosing error with ascorbic acid, which was being used to hasten COVID-19 recovery. The newsletter also provides a summary of insights from a webinar on the response of two health systems impacted by the pandemic. Visit: https://ismp.org/acute-care/special-edition-medication-safety-alert-apri...

Has your facility experienced a medication error related to drug shortages and/or COVID-19? Help ISMP improve medication safety and prevent patient harm during the pandemic by reporting confidentially at: https://www.ismp.org/report-error/merp.

ISMP has created an online list of key resources and information that can help you manage emerging drug and product shortages related to COVID-19. For links to articles, webinars, and input and tools from frontline practitioners, visit: https://ismp.org/node/15527