This week’s special edition ISMP newsletter provides considerations and tips for safe and efficient use of automated dispensing cabinets during the pandemic, including enhancing security and minimizing contamination. The newsletter also presents information on errors occurring with norepinephrine infusions administered to COVID-19 patients and stresses the need for standardizing critical care drug infusions. Visit: https://ismp.org/acute-care/special-edition-medication-safety-alert-apri...

Infusion pump and tubing shortages are anticipated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Watch this video to hear ISMP experts and ECRI engineers discuss how to navigate those shortages, and key safety considerations to keep in mind when putting infusion pumps in hallways to conserve PPE. The webcast also includes a Q&A session with questions from hospitals around the globe: https://hubs.ly/H0pnL7m0

ISMP has created an online COVID-19 resource page with links to medication safety-related information that can help you respond to the pandemic.The frequently updated list includes articles, webinars, and emerging news. Visit: https://ismp.org/covid-19-resources

The second special edition ISMP newsletter focuses on using tubing extension sets to position infusion pumps outside of COVID-19 patients’ rooms, which helps conserve PPE and reduces the frequency of exposures that nurses would ordinarily experience by going into rooms to manage infusions. The issue also includes pharmacist order verification tips. Special editions are available free to the general public as well as subscribers—to access, visit: https://ismp.org/acute-care/special-edition-medication-safety-alert-apri...

ISMP realizes that healthcare practitioners are struggling to keep up with rapidly changing conditions and information related to COVID-19. To help, we are moving to special editions of the ISMP Medication Safety Alert! Acute Care newsletter. The special editions will focus only on medication safety issues and information you may find useful for planning and discussion. The length and frequency might vary, depending on what needs to be communicated, but at minimum a special edition will be published every other week. The first issue is available to the general public as well as subscribers—to access, visit: https://ismp.org/node/14917.

Sign up now for the next MSOS Member Briefing webinar scheduled to be held tomorrow, March 26, 2020 from 1:00-2:00 PM EST.
Register Now: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8385147657202095629

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

• Addressing Medication Safety Practices Without a Dedicated Medication Safety Practitioner
David T. Caron, Jr., R.Ph., Pharm.D.
Director of Pharmacy
Hospital Compliance Officer
Martha's Vineyard Hospital

• Engaging Pharmacy Staff in Medication Safety
Farzana Samad, PharmD, FISMP
Medication Safety and Quality Coordinator
Baptist Hospital of Miami

• ISMP Update including COVID-19 discussion (with opportunity for attendees to speak)
Michael R. Cohen, RPh, MS, ScD (hon.), DPS (hon.), FASHP
President
Institute for Safe Medication Practices

Sign up now for the next MSOS Member Briefing webinar scheduled to be held on Thursday, March 26, 2020 from 1:00-2:00 PM EST.
Register Now: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8385147657202095629

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

• Addressing Medication Safety Practices Without a Dedicated Medication Safety Practitioner
David T. Caron, Jr., R.Ph., Pharm.D.
Director of Pharmacy
Hospital Compliance Officer
Martha's Vineyard Hospital

• Engaging Pharmacy Staff in Medication Safety
Farzana Samad, PharmD, FISMP
Medication Safety and Quality Coordinator
Baptist Hospital of Miami

• System Change Reports
Eileen Kasda, DrPH, MHS
Assistant Director, Patient Safety Analytics

ISMP has just released its updated list of consensus-based Best Practices, which includes new recommendations on opioid prescribing and dispensing as well as on managing risks related to the “override” feature on automated dispensing cabinets. We encourage hospitals and health systems to incorporate the Best Practices into their medication safety efforts over the next two years. For a copy of the Best Practices, visit: https://www.ismp.org/guidelines/best-practices-hospitals

Spend a week, March 30 to April 3, 2020, being mentored by national medication safety leaders as a Practitioner in Residence at ISMP’s office in the Philadelphia area. Participants will learn to use ISMP’s unique model for identifying and controlling areas of risk exposure, and gain insights to help meet regulatory and accreditation requirements. During this week, they also will obtain comprehensive resource materials to support ongoing safety efforts at their organization. Spaces for the session are going fast, so sign up soon. To learn more or enroll, call ISMP at 215-947-7797 or visit: www.ismp.org/node/13263

Now you can hear ISMP and ECRI leaders discuss why their organizations joined forces, and how the affiliation will help improve healthcare quality and safety. A new podcast addresses ways ISMP and ECRI are working together to expand membership offerings, enhance educational programs, and combine their PSOs. To listen in, visit: https://www.ecri.org/podcasts/ecri-and-ismp-stronger-together