Pharmacists have a critical role in the prevention of adverse drug events. Every medication order should be reviewed by a pharmacist to ensure appropriate selection of drug, dose, route, and frequency as well as to check for interactions with other medications. Pharmacists can conduct the reviews either in the pharmacy or on patient care units if they have access to patients’ profile information.
Tips
- Create provisions for administration of one dose in an emergency without pharmacist review.
- Ensure that information about emergency medications administered without review is entered into the patient profile .
- Develop a process for handling new medication orders placed during off-shifts if pharmacists are not on duty 24 hours a day.
- Ensure timely reviews so dispensing can be prompt.
