Medication errors should be preventable through evaluation of the medication use process and development of effective interventions. Definitions A medication error is defined as any preventable event that may cause or lead to inappropriate medication use or patient harm, while the medication is in the control of the health care professional, patient, or consumer. ASCP Position ASCP believes that all pharmacists involved in the medication use process have a responsibility to develop and participate in continuous quality improvement programs for preventing medication errors in pharmacies and long-term care facilities. The evaluation of existing processes and establishment of effective system controls should involve pharmacists in collaboration with other health care professionals, providers of care, and consumers of medications. References 1 Monette J, Gurwitz JH, Avorn J. Epidemiology of adverse drug events in the nursing home setting.
National council focuses on coordinating error reduction efforts.
Fundamentals of medication error research. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. ASHP Guidelines on Preventing Medication Errors in Hospitals. How common are they and what can be done to prevent them. Medication error reduction through continuous quality improvement.