Michael J. Gaunt, PharmD

This important document outlines the responsibilities of the extemporaneous compounder.

Independent verification of drug doses can prevent mix-ups and misinterpretation.

Sterility is not maintained by putting a new needle on a used pen device.

This childhood vaccine given as 1 shot requires mixing of 2 components, leading to omission errors.

Adapters for oral syringes undermine child-resistant packaging.

Miscommunication between health care professionals can have dangerous consequences.

Careful use and maintenance are needed to ensure that automated systems successfully reduce the risk of medication errors.

Confusion between methadone and other medications with look-alike names can cause life-threatening errors.

Much can be learned from cases in which patients are the ones to discover mistakes made with their medications.

Failure Mode and Effects Analysis provides a systematic method for evaluating potential points of error.

Miscommunication or misinterpretation can lead to medication errors at several points in the dispensing process.

This convenient delivery system can sometimes cause accidental exposure to dangerous medications for children and pets.

A Pharmacist's Guide to Preventing Vaccine Errors

Despite attempts at standardization, these preventable and often devastating errors still occur.

Abbreviations used for dosing and drug names can lead to dispensing mistakes.

Some important safety measures, such as asking open-ended questions, are neither complicated nor costly.

Despite their differences, pharmacists in the community and ambulatory care settings can share risk-reduction strategies.

Look-alike, sound-alike drug errors are easily preventable with the proper intervention.

Errors involving medications for opioid dependence can compromise a patient's treatment.

Sig codes and mnemonics save time behind the counter, but careless mistakes and misinterpretation can lead to serious medication errors.

Unintentional poisonings in children can involve grandparents' medications. These older patients need education and safe practice recommendations.

Changes to a patient's medication can have potentially devastating consequences if all parties involved are not properly informed.

Although acetaminophen is considered very safe, unintentional overdosing is a serious problem.

Despite efforts by manufacturers to differentiate between the adult and pediatric formulations of diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis immunizations, they are ofter improperly administered.

Community pharmacists and emergency departments can improve patient safety by communicating effectively to ensure that patient's medication profiles are accurate and up-to-date.

Confusing guidelines regarding dosing of some OTC products can potentially harm young children.

Although acetaminophen is considered very safe, unintentional overdosing is a serious problem.

When an operator service is used by hearing-impaired pharmacy staff, steps must be taken to avoid the possibility of medication errors.