Michael J. Gaunt, PharmD

Xarelto, one of the newer oral anticoagulants on the market, is approved for the treatment of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.

Despite the resolve of many across the nation who have demonstrated an unparalleled commitment to keeping patients safe and the many safety accomplishments achieved over the past few years, a number of medication safety issues remain unresolved.

Over the past several months, the Institute for Safe Medication Practices has received a number of reports of mix-ups between hydrocodone-acetaminophen and oxycodone-acetaminophen combination products.

Brand names that look or sound alike play a large role in medication errors.

Have you ever answered a question even though you were unsure of the answer?

In the health care industry, widespread disrespectful behavior exists among all levels of organizations and staff.

Disrespectful behaviors have been linked to errors, compromises in patient safety, and even patient mortality.

In light of an ongoing influx of new and novel vaccines, an ever-increasing array of combination vaccines, special precautions associated with certain vaccines, and frequently changing immunization recommendations, it is crucial that pharmacies and other practice sites examine their processes and implement risk-reduction strategies.

The patient's medication was found in another patient's bag. Both patients had the same last name.

A review of 2 examples of new failure modes that may be introduced by poorly designed or implemented technology reported to the Institute for Safe Medication Practices.

Brand name extension is a term used to describe the reuse of a well-known proprietary name to introduce a new product that may contain an active ingredient different from the active ingredient in the original product.

Medications that have been on the market for quite some time are not immune to medication errors, even errors involving drug name confusion.

A case in which kids ate nicotine replacement lozenges under the false impression that they were mints.

It is evident from analysis of error reports sent to the ISMP National Medication Errors Reporting Program that a lack of proper patient education contributes to errors.

The Institute for Safe Medication Practices has received a number of reports about mix-ups between Lupron Depot-Ped and Lupron Depot-3 Month.

There has been minimal guidance as to how acetaminophen should be listed on drug packaging.

All too often, mix-ups between metric and nonmetric units cause serious medication errors.

To prevent errors, health care professionals should consider the risk-reduction actions presented here.

The use of medication samples in clinical practice needs to be re-evaluated to keep patients safe.

Avoiding adverse medication events through prevention programs may help to lower hospital readmission rates.

Awareness of common errors in electronic health record systems can prevent serious errors.