Page 24 - Risk Reduction Series Effective Systems Part 2

SVMIC Risk Reduction Series: Effective Systems

Medication Safety

A primary example of “dropping the baton” is the
pervasive deficiency in medication reconciliation.
Medication errors account for a significant

percentage of medical liability claims. In fact, our

data at SVMIC reveals that medication-related
issues are a leading factor in claims. Closely
monitoring medications often requires utilizing standardized

tools and guidelines, as patients are usually under the care of

multiple medical providers. Liability experts anticipate even
further increases in the number of drug-related claims as
physicians see more patients and patients move between

insurance plans and providers. The best way to protect the

practice is to develop written procedures to cover the
acquisition, maintenance, storage, dispensing, and
administration of medications, and to ensure conformity with all

applicable federal and state regulations. The Physician Office

Resource Manual at www.svmic.com outlines additional details
to consider when developing these procedures.

High-Risk Medications

Having a reliable and consistent system for newly prescribed
or high-risk medications is crucial. When first initiating high-

risk medication therapy, the patient should be educated to
understand the indications for the medication, the potential

risks and benefits, potential side effects and how to manage
them, the importance of monitoring, if applicable, dietary and

alcohol interactions, and medication and herbal supplement
interactions. When appropriate, include a family member or

friend in this discussion. It is preferable to use educational
tools, such as written materials and/or videos, to reinforce the

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