Medication Safety Update: Preventing Errors and Adverse Drug Reactions – Nurse Practitioner

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, advanced practice nurses, patients, and other care providers is key to promoting medication safety in the outpatient setting. Despite codes of practice and efforts to exercise care, preventable adverse events related to medications still occur. All health care professionals can play an integral role in reducing medication errors. By having a broad understanding of the issues surrounding errors and adverse drug events (ADEs), patient safety can be improved. 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...