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Reduce ADEs Involving Chemotherapy:
Allow Chemotherapy Orders Only from Certified Prescribers

Chemotherapeutic agents should be prescribed only by clinicians who have specific training in their use and hazards and who prescribe them routinely. Any organization where chemotherapy drugs are administered should have a credentialing or certification program that clinicians must complete in order to be permitted to prescribe chemotherapy. Staff should accept chemotherapy orders only from these certified clinicians.


Tips
  • Develop a chemotherapy certification program for your organization in conjunction with the medical staff and pharmacy.
  • Require that certified clinicians maintain a certain level of competency, for example via education programs, by prescribing a minimum of chemotherapy per year, etc.
  • Provide easy access to the list of certified prescribers to the pharmacy and all patient care units where chemotherapy is administered.