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