Statement 5.5

“Hospital pharmacists should help to decrease the risk of medication errors by disseminating evidence-based approaches to error reduction including computerised decision support..”

What does it mean for patients? Medication errors can occur due to failures of the procedures. Scientific literature suggests one way to decrease errors is by implementing evidence-based systems or technology systems (e.g. scan- technology or unit dose distribution).

What does it mean for healthcare professionals? Evidence-based systems or technology systems (e.g. scan-technology, electronic prescribing or unit dose distribution) are useful instruments to improve prescription practices and avoid adverse events.

Evidence-based systems or technology systems are also useful instruments to improve preparation and administration practices and avoid medication errors.

What does it mean for Hospital Pharmacists? Hospital pharmacists should define the appropriate system to implement in their hospitals (such as automated prescription-filling, unit dose distribution, bar coding, or others) to improve patient safety.

Hospital pharmacists should make sure that all conditions are fulfilled prior to implementation. Hospital pharmacists should establish the safety rules regarding processes/technology used and monitor the new process and assess the impact on medication errors

The Uppsalla University Hospital is SILCC Host providing training on this Statement. Please learn more about the SILCC programme here.

The Hospital Gregorio Marañon is SILCC Host providing training on this Statement. Please learn more about the SILCC programme here.