Backrgound

Medication errors are recognised as a major patient safety problem. They occur in all stages of the medication management process and have the potential to lead to patient harm, prolonged hospital stays, readmission or even death. Different measures to improve medication safety in hospitals have been taken to reach the World Health Organization’s (WHOs) target of globally reducing avoidable harm related to medications by 50%, by 2022. 

However, despite the introduction of computerised prescriber order entry solutions, electronic medication administration records, bar code medication administration, automated dispensing devices and other clinical decision support systems in some hospitals, medication errors continue to occur. In particular, in intensive cancer units and ambulatory care/one day hospitals where patients received anticancer medication every month they can significantly impact patient care and outcomes.  

Scope of activities 

EAHP’s SIG for the Investigation of Medication Errors and Efficiency  in Oncology would on the one hand be looking at determining the prevalence of medication errors , their causes, including the healthcare professionals shortages and the impact of medication errors in healthcare professionals (know as second victims). On the other hand, the members of the SIG would develop recommendations for lowering medication errors in oncology and improving efficiency across Europe.

Call for the expression of interest

Please find here the call for the expression of interest. SIG candidates sould hold one of the following qualifications:

• Heads of a hospital pharmacy and Hospital Pharmacies with experience in oncology pharmacy and current practice and guidelines regarding the reduction of medication errors and improving efficiency. 
• Healthcare professionals with experience in oncology and current practice and guidelines regarding the reduction of medication errors and improving efficiency
• Candidates without experience in oncology pharmacy but a strong experience on assessing and reducing medication errors in the hospital setting are also encouraged to apply.

SIG candidates should:

• have a proven scientific curriculum/background and/or relevant (work) experience linked to oncology pharmacy or reporting/reduction of medication errors in the hospital setting.
• ideally, have gained experience in the topic and working with hospital management and other professional to drive changes within their pharamcies
• have the ability to collect and analyse data, and disseminate public health information;
• have sufficient time to commit themselves to the work of the SIG which will involve regular  (online) meeting attendance including preparation and follow-up activities determined during  the SIG meetings; 
• Good spoken and written English. 

The SIG will meet at least once per month for 2 hours. SIG members should expect around 2-4 hours of work per month. 

Geographic diversity will be one overarching criterion applied in the selection of the SIG members. To guarantee the smooth functioning of the SIG, its size will not exceed 20 members. 

The SIG is planned to work for 18 months on this tipic. The Terms of Reference and the Working Plan will be defined by the SIG during the kick-off meeting in November.

Application procedure 

Expressions of interest from pharmacists meeting the eligibility criteria should be submitted by email to EAHP Managing Director Jennie Degreef at info[at]eahp[dot]eu . In order to be deemed admissible, applications must provide EAHP with a: 

• CV
• Short motivation statement or email explaining why you would be interested in joining the SIG 

Closing date 

This Call for Expressions of Interest closes on November 20^th, 2023 at 11.59 PM CET. EAHP reserves the right to disregard any application sent after that date/time.