Page 8 - Hospitalists - Risks When You're the Doctor in the House (Part Two)
P. 8
SVMIC Hospitalists - Risks When You’re the Doctor in the House
Discuss risks, side effects, benefits of, and alternatives to
prescribed medications with the patient, and document
this discussion in the record (informed consent discussion).
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.
Do not prescribe unfamiliar medications. Physicians
should be aware of current information and guidelines
set forth in the PDR, package inserts, product advisories,
or other authoritative resources governing the use of any
medications they prescribe.
Closely monitor drugs with known toxic effects – use a
“recall” or “reminder” system to alert the practitioner when
labs are due.
Periodically re-evaluate a patient’s condition before
renewing medications.
Exercise great caution when prescribing controlled
substances, especially opioids.
Use e-prescribing or print handwritten prescriptions to
ensure legibility.
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.
Use the metric system, particularly for pediatric dosing and
weight measurements.
Document the medicine’s indication on the prescription as
well as the medical record.
Page 8
