Medication Safety: Technology Considerations to Enhance USP Compliance

You are ready to go live with USP —your Hazardous Drug List is complete, your Assessments of Risks are finalized, everyone has agreed on how you will handle these drugs and the PPE that will be worn, and policies have been updated.  Your workgroup is ready to discuss how you will communicate to your healthcare team that this medication is hazardous and requires special handling precautions.  There are several opportunities for communication to consider:  auxiliary labels, transport bags, EHR comments, automated dispensing cabinet alerts, storage containers (including carousels and refrigerators), signs, and other drug information resources.  The following list describes different discussions to have with your Information Technology (IT) team and work group on how to communicate that medication is hazardous.   

The information presented during the podcast reflects solely the opinions of the presenter.  The information and materials are not, and are not intended as, a comprehensive source of drug information on this topic. The contents of the podcast have not been reviewed by ASHP, and should neither be interpreted as the official policies of ASHP, nor an endorsement of any product(s), nor should they be considered as a substitute for the professional judgment of the pharmacist or physician.