CME Program

Reducing Medication Errors

Download Course (PDF) (2.42 MB)

Course Description

Nearly ten years after the Institute of Medicine published its groundbreaking report "To Err is Human," there are still significant numbers of patients injuries and professional liability risks associated with medications. This course draws on twelve closed claims and corresponding risk issues, including medication history/reconciliation, prescription refills, monitoring, follow-up, storage, error-prone abbreviations, patient education, health literacy, informed consent and refusal, and black box warnings. The cases reviewed, risk management recommendations and sample tools are designed to close the gaps in physician knowledge, competence and performance that lead to poor patient outcomes and professional liability exposure.

Who Should Take This Course

• This course is intended for treating physicians in any specialty.

Educational Objectives

By implementing the risk management recommendations herein, participants will be able to:

• Implement patient safety best practices for medication storage and medication prescription (including renewals and refills).
• Facilitate patient safety by conducting medication reconciliation in the office setting.
• Recognize the limitations and roles of unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP).
• Use plain language communication to facilitate patient comprehension and compliance.
• Develop policies and procedures for telephone triage and screening, as well as documentation of telephone contact.
• Develop processes to ensure appropriate exchange of information with other providers.
• Establish office protocols regarding follow-up and tracking.

Disclosure Policy

As an ACCME accredited provider, NORCAL Mutual Insurance Company requires planners, reviewers or authors who influence or control the content of a CME activity to disclose financial relationships (of any amount) they have with commercial interests associated with this CME activity during the past 12 months. Any identified conflicts of interest will be resolved prior to the commencement of the activity.

Disclosures

Individuals involved in the planning, reviewing or execution of this activity have indicated they have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Content Advisors/Planners

Stephen M. Farber
Vice President, Risk Management and Continuing Medical Education

Dustin Shaver
Manager, Risk Management and Continuing Medical Education

Marlene Nazarey, RN, MSN
Manager, Risk Management

Robin Webster, MHA, CPHRM
Risk Management Specialist

Marsha Lose, RN
Risk Management Specialist

Jo Townson
Risk Management Specialist/Continuing Medical Education

Sonia Rutherford
CME Program Services Coordinator

Expert Reviewer

John F. Thompson, PharmD, FCP
Clinical and Forensic Pharmacology
Diamond Bar, CA

Accreditation Statement
NORCAL Mutual Insurance Company is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation Statement
NORCAL Mutual Insurance Company designates this educational activity for a maximum of 3 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Original release date: October, 2009
Expiration date: October 31, 2012