Page 18 - High Alert Medications INFORMATICS_Neat

1. HAMs and LASA drugs should be labeled as HIGH

ALERT

2. Medications, LASA respectively as a reminder for healthcare professionals to

remain vigilant in the management of the same. Be extra careful with drugs that are

Look-Alike/Sound-Alike in addition to being one of the high alert medications as

well.

3. Medications identified as high alert or LASA should be targeted for specific error

prevention strategies. (Refer to drug monographs for details under each category)

4. HAMs and LASA are required to be stored, prescribed, dispensed, administered and

monitored using practices that ensure safety for the patient discouraging operational

shortcuts and reckless behaviour.

 HAM and LASA must be counterchecked (preferably by a second independent

healthcare professional) when prepared, at the time of dispensing and before

administration to the patients.

1. A system should be established whereby one healthcare professional prepares the

medication and a second counterchecks it.

2. All HAM issued from the pharmacy must be counterchecked and verified, for

medication safety and accuracy before dispensing.

3. All equipment or devices used in the preparation and/or administration of drugs

should be calibrated and maintained according to approved SOPs (e.g. weighing

balances, laminar flow hoods, infusion pumps, syringe pumps etc.)

 The right to prescribe certain HAMs should be defined by the organization e.g.

chemotherapeutic drugs can be prescribed by an oncologist/hematologist and

thrombolytic by Cardiologist or Neurologist Only etc.

1. Prescribing privileges are regularly reviewed and updated

2. Privileges are notified and circulated to all concerned healthcare professionals and

staff involved in patient care.

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