Medication Safety

Question 1

The Medication Process

- multidisciplinary approach

Answer 1

Prescribing - most common
dispensing
administration - 2nd
monitoring

Question 2

Medicines most associated with harm

Answer 2

Anticoagulants
antibiotics (allergy) 
sedatives 
chemotherapy 
anti psychotics 
opiates 
insulin 
infusion fluid

Question 3

Never events

Answer 3

wrong route

overdose

Question 4

Good medication hx

Answer 4

meds - name, form, dose, route
compliance
allergies
side effects

Question 5

Penicillin Allergy

Answer 5

Clarithromycin/erythromycin or Doxycycline

Question 6

How can you ensure prescriptions are written safely?

Answer 6

Capital letters, indelible black ink
Correct patient details
Do not abbreviate drug names
Use generic drug names (certain exceptions)
Do not use decimal places unless necessary
Clearly state drug, dose, strength, route and frequency
Micrograms and units in full
Liquids should be written as mg not mls
Allergies - drug, reaction, signature
Do not amend changes to prescription- cancel and rewrite
Record changes & rationale in clinical notes