Reducing Medication Errors Through Implementing a Continuous Quality Improvement Program
According to the Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, To Err Is Human, the majority of medical errors result from faulty systems and processes, not individuals.
Continuous quality improvement (CQI) is a management process that focuses on continually and systematically evaluating the organization’s work process. CQI enhances patient safety through a reduction in medication errors. According to the 2023 NABP Survey of Pharmacy Law, 27 state boards of pharmacy mention CQI in their regulations and 18 out of 50 boards actually require pharmacies to maintain CQI programs to monitor and prevent quality-related events in community pharmacy.
This will review and analyze reported medication error events using a feasible and effective program that aligns with the NABP model and the 247CMR MA Board of Registration in Pharmacy’s regulations for CQI program requirements.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, the participant will be able to:
- Recite quality improvement regulations for Massachusetts pharmacies
- Define elements of a Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Program
- Review case scenarios of medication errors or near miss events to identify breakdowns that have contributed to the error
Presenter
Donna Horn, MS, RPh, DPh, CHC is a Senior Ethics and Compliance Officer at Fresenius Medical Care, North America (FMCNA). She also provides direct student instruction at MCPHS and teaches ‘Preventing Medication Errors’ to graduate students at the University of Florida.
She has more than 25 years of experience in the community pharmacy practice setting and has served many years on the Executive Committee of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Pharmacy and on the Board of Directors for the American Society for Pharmacy Law. Donna received a BS in Pharmacy from MCPHS and an MS in Patient Safety and Medication Risk Management from the University of Florida.
Registration Fee: Free for MCPHS alumni and full-time staff, and all other professionals.
Release Date: March 7, 2024
Expiration Date: March 7, 2025
ACPE UAN: 0026-0000-24-007-H03-P | Knowledge
ACPE Topic Designator: Pharmacy Law
Contact Hours: 1 (0.1 CEU)
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences designates this activity for a total of 1.0 contact hour (0.1 CEUs).
In order to receive credit, the participant must view the entire presentation and complete the pre and post-tests, and evaluation form. Upon completion, participant credit will be reported to CPE Monitor. Transcripts may be printed from CPE Monitor.
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences adheres to the ACPE Standards for Integrity and Independence in Continuing Education. It is the policy of MCPHS that the speakers and planning committee members disclose all financial relationships with ineligible companies within the last 24 months, and that relevant conflicts of interest are mitigated. Speakers will disclose any off-label/unapproved use of drugs or devices during their presentation.
Donna Horn has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Continuing Education staff members hold no financial relationships with ineligible companies related to the content of this presentation.
No funding from industry provided for this event. No exhibitors will be present.