Medication Management

Question 1

What are the 6 rights for medication safety?

Answer 1

1. Right medication
2. Right dose
3. Right time
4. Right route
5. Right patient
6. Right documentation

Question 2

How do you assure look-alike and sound-alike medications are not given in error?

Answer 2

A look-alike sound-alike (LASA) list is posted in all medication and vaccine storage areas.

Question 3

What are high alert medications?

Answer 3

Drugs that bear a heightened risk of causing significant patient harm when they are used in error or are involved in a high percentage of errors/sentinel events. A list of high alert medications (HAM) is posted in all medication and vaccine storage areas and disseminated to all staff.

Question 4

Are patients allowed to self-administer medications while admitted to the hospital?

Answer 4

Yes. Only medications that cannot easily be obtained by the facility may be allowed to be self-administered. A providers order must be in place prior to use. The inpatient pharmacy must be contacted for disposition on how the medication will be stored and dispensed to the patient. Medications cannot be stored at bedside except in a locked, secure storage device.

Question 5

Do you have to clean the rubber needle port of a new vial if the flip-cap has just been removed?

Answer 5

YES. The vial diaphragm (rubber port) is not sterile. The plastic Is simply a “dust cover.” The diaphragm must be cleaned with 70% isopropyl alcohol or other approved antiseptic swab

Question 6

Are multidose vials allowed to be used?

Answer 6

Yes. A multidose vial must be clearly marked with an expiration date 28 days following initial use. Multi use vials should not be used or stored in direct patient care areas.

Question 7

What can a patient do with unwanted narcotic medications?

Answer 7

There is a medication disposal receptacle in the first floor near the pharmacy were patients can dispose of medications.

Question 8

What do you do when an actual or potential adverse event or medication error occurs?

Answer 8

1. Notify members of the team caring for the patient and the patient’s attending physician.
2. The physician will evaluate and respond to the incident.
3. The physician will document facts of the event in the progress notes.
4. A PSR will be placed to document this event

Question 9

What has your hospital done to reduce the risk of medication incidents?

Answer 9

1. Limited the number of medication concentrations available on each unit.
2. Double check requirements implemented for high alert medications
3. All patients are identified using two unique identifiers prior to medication administration.
4. A list of do not use abbreviations and symbols are posted in all medication storage areas and disseminated to all providers.
5. Look alike and sound alike medications have been identified and a list is posted in medication storage areas and disseminated to all providers