Patient Safety is in YOUR Hand launched May 22, 2008

The Manitoba Institute for Patient Safety joined with a wide range of professional groups, regulatory bodies and healthcare organizations to launch Patient Safety is in Your Hand, an initiative aimed at raising greater awareness among providers of the dangers of using certain abbreviations and symbols that are known to increase the possibility of adverse events.

Medication errors are a leading cause of patient harm. It is well known that adverse drug events occur with disturbing frequency, and that communication problems between settings of care are a significant factor in their occurrence. In the Canadian Adverse Events Study (2004), drug and fluid related events were the second most common type of procedure or event to which adverse events were related. Improving medication safety through avoiding the use of abbreviations, dose designations and symbols in the medication use system will reduce preventable patient harm.

Patient Safety is in YOUR Hand was publicly announced in May 22, 2008. It builds on the Regional Policy on Medication Order Writing Standards, introduced by the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. In addition to posters, included will be a list of error prone abbreviations, acronyms, dose designations and symbols that are being discouraged. The posters and the “Do Not Use List” form part of a tool kit for organizations to use to introduce and promote Patient Safety is in YOUR Hand. The tool kit, which includes references, implementation tips and downloadable tools can be accessed at http://mbips.ca/wp/initiatives/patient-safety-is-in-your-hand/ . Project funding sponsors are Regional Health Authorities of Manitoba and Healthcare Insurance Reciprocal of Canada.

An interprofessional launch and education evening entitled “Improving Patient Safety Through Better Communication About Medications” was hosted by the Manitoba Pharmaceutical Association on May 22, 2008.

To view the video click this link http://mbips.ca/wp/initiatives/patient-safety-is-in-your-hand/#videotape

Partners with the Manitoba Institute for Patient Safety on this initiative are: the Manitoba Pharmaceutical Association, the College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba, the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Manitoba, the Institute for Safer Medication Practices Canada, and the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority.