Pharmacists Technicians
 

Patient and Provider Safety with the Chemotherapy Infusion Process

The risk of patient and provider exposure to hazardous drugs has been identified as a problem of increasing health concern. These hazardous medications are capable of causing serious effects to those exposed; including local reactions, cancer, organ toxicity, fertility problems, genetic damage, and birth defects. Professional organizations, government agencies, and various regulatory bodies have called for and/or developed guidelines for handling hazardous drugs. However, even with these measures in place, inadvertent exposures still occur and providers need to receive education on the availability and use of advanced safety equipment used in the preparation and administration of hazardous drugs. This monograph focuses on the safe handling, preparation and administration of hazardous drugs. The monograph covers risk management, current chemotherapy guidelines, types of safety equipment, and use of closed IV preparation/administration equipment.

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High Alert Drugs: Addressing Potential Errors Proactively

Patient safety is of utmost importance within health-systems; yet, medication errors continue at an alarming rate. Regulatory and accrediting organizations have developed standards addressing medication safety; however, additional focus by these organizations is likely. Implementation of technology to help prevent medication errors has been slow due to the cost and resources required. This monograph will identify medications and processes prone to error and describe how medication infusion technologies may help prevent those errors. Additionally, this program reviews the data generated by medication administration technology and describes how to use this data to assist in quality improvement programs to reduce medication errors.

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