MedError

🛫 Preparing for a trip? Don’t forget your medications! 💊

We received a report where a patient discovered a while they were out of the country.

✅ Check your prescriptions before leaving to make sure everything is right!

Read these travel tips.

➡https://safemedicationuse.ca/newsletter/downloads/201706NewsletterV8N5-LosingMeds.pdf

ISMP Canada has been working with homes in Ontario for several years in an initiative called Strengthening Medication Safety in Long-Term Care.

The most recent phase of the program has been to support homes as they work on a resident-centred approach to strengthen medication safety, specifically with the appropriate use of antipsychotic medications. 💊

This video highlights the incredible work that is happening in LTC. 👏 Kudos to for supporting the development of this video.

Grab your tea ☕ and have a tissue handy. 🥹
📺 Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jVmhZeen8Q&t=1s
🔎Learn more about the Strengthening Medication Safety in LTC initiative: https://ismpcanada.ca/resource/ltc/

that some medication names can look alike or sound alike?

ISMP Canada received a report about a mix up involving hydralazine and hydroxyzine. Check your prescription before leaving the pharmacy to ensure you have your expected medication.

Read more about look alike, sound alike medications: https://mederror.ca/newsletters/look-alike-sound-alike-medications/

It is . Medications may be needed to treat mental health conditions like anxiety and depression.

ISMP Canada receives reports related tothese medications and we have previously published information about starting and stopping antidepressants safely.

Read these newsletters to help you stay safe with these medications.

Tips for Starting Antidepressants Safely: https://mederror.ca/newsletters/tips-for-starting-antidepressants-safely/
Tips for Stopping Antidepressants Safely: https://mederror.ca/newsletters/tips-for-stopping-antidepressants-safely/

💊 Picking up a prescription for you or someone else?

Take a minute for medication counselling—it could prevent an error.
A quick conversation with the pharmacist helps you understand how to take medication safely and catch mistakes before they happen.

✅ Check the medication
✅ Ask questions
✅ If something seems different, speak up

Read this newsletter about a good catch during medication counselling: https://bit.ly/43m9vj4

Do you take levothyroxine (e.g., Synthroid) for a thyroid condition?
ISMP Canada continues to receive reports related to the incorrect dose of levothyroxine.

A recent report shared that the doctor had explained what colour and shape to expect the tablets to be. When the patient picked up the medication, it was not the colour or shape they were expecting. The error was caught and harm was prevented.

Read this newsletter to learn more about taking levothyroxine safely: https://mederror.ca/newsletters/medication-routines-keeping-them-simple/

❓Do you take a liquid medication?
Newer liquid medications used to treat are available. They may be in powder form and need to be mixed with the correct amount of water by the pharmacy team.

ISMP Canada has received 2 reports where the ADHD medication was not mixed with water and the powder in the bottle was sent home with the consumer. If this has happened to you, do not use it and return it to the pharmacy.

For more safety information about ADHD medications: https://mederror.ca/newsletters/adhd-medication/

🎉 It’s National Nursing Week! We celebrate the knowledge, leadership, and dedication that nurses bring to patients and healthcare teams across Canada.

Thank you for your unwavering commitment to patient safety and for the extraordinary difference you make every day.♥️

“Cameron carried the hurts of the world on his shoulders. He left our home in the middle of the night and accessed his place of work. His swipe card had not been deactivated while he was off on known mental health leave.”

Thank you to Cameron’s family for bravely sharing his story to help others. 💙

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Safe medication use may be an effective treatment. Work with your health care provider to make decisions about medications, together.

📘 Read Cameron’s story ➡ https://mederror.ca/patient-stories/camerons-story/

Adrenal insufficiency is a condition where the body does not make enough of a hormone called cortisol. People with an adrenal insufficiency are at risk of adrenal crisis.

Read this newsletter to learn more about the signs of adrenal crisis and how to manage it. ➡ http://bit.ly/47YmlqI

Canadian Addison Society