Medication Safety Update: Preventing Errors and Adverse Drug Reactions – Florida Board Approved- Pharmacy Technician

Despite best efforts, preventable adverse events related to medications do occur, and all health care professionals can play an integral role in reducing them. Health care professionals need a broad understanding of the issues surrounding medication errors and adverse drug events (ADEs) in order to improve patient safety. Medication errors can occur at any step from prescribing to dispensing a medication, as well as during administration by a patient or caregiver. An ADE occurs when a patient experiences harm from a medication. Medication errors that reach patients and cause any amount of harm are termed preventable ADEs. In 2018, 59 new drugs were approved – the greatest number of approvals in over 20 years. Staying abreast of medication information is a daunting task; however, it is an essential part of preventing medication-related problems. An interdisciplinary approach involving physicians, pharmacists, nurses, patients, and other care providers is key to promoting medication safety in the outpatient setting...