Medication safety

Medication safety pharmacists co-ordinate and evaluate improvements in medication prescribing, dispensing, administration and monitoring.

What we do

Review

We co-ordinate regular reviews of medication-related services. We do this by:

  • undertaking medication safety Walk Rounds in all campuses
  • reviewing new medicinal products and brands
  • reviewing of all reported medication-related incidents
  • preparing for hospital accreditation (Medication Safety, Standard 4)
  • providing input into the Alfred Health eTQC project

Educate

We provide education, training and inservices to:

  • undergraduate students
  • pharmacy interns
  • nursing staff
  • medical staff

Promote

We promote discussion and communication of improvements to medication safety. Some avenues for this are:

  • The Alfred Health Medication Safety Committee (MSC) which involve monthly meetings with consumer, pharmacy, nursing, and medical staff
  • The Alfred Health Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) Review Committee. These ADR reports are reviewed, documented and recommendations sent to patients for avoiding similar reactions
  • information pamphlets for patients
  • monthly Clinical Governance reports to the hospital executive
  • Prescribing Matters newsletter for clinical staff

Recent projects

Recent projects include:

  • research into the extent of steroid-induced diabetes
  • evaluation of medication infusion pumps
  • evaluation of drug-induced anaphylaxis management