Destiny Perales March 3, 2013
Medication Errors
The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) operates two national error-reporting programs—the National Medication Errors Reporting Program (ISMP MERP) and the National Vaccine Errors Reporting Program (ISMP VERP). Both are confidential voluntary programs that provide expert analysis of system-based causes of medication and vaccine errors. Through various media outlets, the ISMP communicates recommendations for improving safety. Medication and vaccine errors, preventable adverse drug reactions, close calls, or hazardous conditions may be reported. Examples include, but are not limited to:
•Errors in the prescribing, transcribing, dispensing, administering, and monitoring of medications and vaccines;
•Wrong drug, wrong strength, or wrong dose errors;
•Wrong patient errors;
•Confusion over look-alike/sound-alike drugs or similar packaging;
•Wrong route of administration errors;
•Calculation or preparation errors; and
•Misuse of medical equipment.
To report a medication error you must:
Go online to the following website-
https://www.ismp.org/orderforms/reporterrortoISMP.asp
Your report must include description of what happened or what could happen due to your safety concern or error.
1. Describe the error or adverse drug reaction. What went wrong?
2. Was this an actual medication error that happened to you or a loved one, or are you expressing concern about a potential error that was discovered before it reached the patient?
3. Type of practice site (hospital, private office, retail pharmacy, long-term care facility, etc).
4. The name of all drugs and/or medical products related to the error.
5. If known, the dosage form (capsule, tablet, injection, etc), concentration or strength, etc.
6. Must known the name of the drug reported.
7. Please include any product photographs, scans of doctor's prescriptions, associated records, etc. that might help us...