A Systems-Based Approach to Medication Safety in Long Term Care
This program will examine the system breakdowns that occur in long-term care settings which can lead to medication errors. System-based risks including insufficient patient information, nonstandard drug distribution methods, look-alike product labeling, packaging, nomenclature, inadequate order communication, and lack of patient and staff education can all contribute to harmful patient outcomes. New methods for addressing medication errors as system issues rather than human failures will be suggested. High-leverage error reduction strategies including the use of advanced bar-coding technologies for safe drug administration in the long term care setting will be explained. Challenges and successes with implementing this technology will also be discussed.
1) Identify system-based causes of medication errors in LTC.
2) List strategies necessary to prevent errors, detect errors before they reach the patient, or minimize the consequences of medication errors.
3) Define the benefits and limitations of bar-coding technology in healthcare and its application to the drug administration process.
4) Recognize the value of and a methodology for assessing an organization's readiness for implementing bar-coding technology at the point-of-care.
5) Describe the challenges and rewards related to implementing a bar-coded drug administration system.
