Information Technology—Pros and Cons—Drug Shortages, and Workplace Safety in Latest PSQH
The latest issue of Patient Safety & Quality Healthcare (PSQH) offers articles that focus on the pros and cons of information technology in healthcare, an interdisciplinary approach to managing drug shortages, new efforts to improve workplace safety for healthcare professionals, and more.
System Secures, Tracks Medication Deliveries Sent Through Existing Pneumatic Tube Delivery Systems
Aethon Inc. has unveiled a patent-pending system that secures and tracks medication deliveries sent through a hospital’s existing pneumatic tube system and guarantees medication is delivered to authorized personnel. Pneumatic tube systems are used extensively to deliver medications through hospitals. Yet, missing or delayed doses cost the hospital millions of dollars in lost productivity, inventory, and safety concerns.
Toshiba’s Dose Tracking System Optimizes Dose Management to Improve Patient Safety
For the first time ever, clinicians have the flexibility to track X-ray skin dose exposure in real time during interventional procedures with Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc.’s Dose Tracking System.
The Impact of Interruptions and Distractions on Hospital Pharmacies: A Review with Recommendations
The impact of interruptions and distractions (I&Ds) on efficiency and safety is well documented across multiple industries. Within healthcare, studies about the impact of I&Ds have focused primarily on medical and nursing practice. To date there has been limited attention devoted to the impact of I&Ds on pharmacy flow and safety, which presents a significant opportunity to make a difference.
HHS Seeks Feedback for Draft of National Action Plan for Adverse Drug Event Prevention
Adverse drug events are the largest contributor to hospital-related complications and account for more than 3.5 million physician office visits each year. As a result of increased attention to reduce and prevent the dangers associated with adverse drug events, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), in partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the U.S. Bureau of Prisons has developed the National Action Plan for Adverse Drug Event Prevention.
High Risk Medication Module Helps Ensure Patient and Medication Safety
First Databank (FDB), a leading provider of clinical drug knowledge that improves medication-related decisions and patient outcomes, has released the FDB High Risk Medication Module.
Change in Labeling for Total Strength of Heparin to Help Minimize Medication Errors
To address safety concerns about the expression of drug strength on labels for heparin sodium injections and heparin lock flush solutions, the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) has revised its current standards for these products.
Walgreens WellTransitions to Help Reduce Readmissions
Walgreens pharmacists are on the frontlines of a new transition of care program, WellTransitions, which brings hospitals and health systems together with Walgreens in a coordinated care model designed to reduce readmission rates and overall health care costs, while improving patient health outcomes and medication adherence.
First Databank Releases Enhanced Drug Knowledge to Support Interoperable Medication Management
First Databank (FDB), the leading provider of clinical drug knowledge that helps improve medication-related decisions and patient outcomes, announces the release of a broad range of cross references within the FDB Interoperability Module.
Pharmacies Across the Country Urged to Adopt “Patient-Centered” Labels
With medication misuse resulting in more than one million adverse drug events per year in the United States, new standards have been released by the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) that for the first time provide a universal approach to the format, appearance, content and language of instructions for medicines in containers dispensed by pharmacists.