Page 64 - 2022 Risk Basics - Systems
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SVMIC Risk Basics: Systems
10. When medications are prescribed in a manner contrary to the
manufacturer’s recommended use, the patient should be so
advised, and the rationale for the decision to prescribe should be
documented.
11. Educational material should be provided to the patient if appropriate.
12. Do not prescribe unfamiliar medications. Prescribers should be
aware of medication guidelines as set forth in package inserts,
product advisories, or other authoritative resources.
13. Train staff who administer medications to adhere to the “Five
Rights”: right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, and
right time. Staff should read all physician orders for medication
administration back to them prior to administering any medication.
14. Closely monitor drugs with known toxic effects – use a “recall” or
“reminder” system to alert the practitioner when labs are due.
15. Periodically reevaluate a patient’s condition before renewing
medications.
16. Exercise caution when prescribing controlled substances.
17. The use of abbreviations can be frequently misinterpreted and
may result in harm to patients. A list of accepted abbreviations
and correct dose designations is available at www.ismp.org/tools/
errorproneabbreviations.pdf.
18. Use the metric system, particularly for pediatric dosing and weight
measurements.
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