SAMPLE POLICY WORK

– All medication management staff are required to attend refresher training sessions at least once per year or sooner if significant regulatory changes occur. – Additional training is provided when new medications, technologies, or procedures are introduced into the agency’s medication management system.

Certification and Continuing Education:

– Nurses and direct support professionals must maintain relevant certifications (e.g., Basic Life Support, Medication Administration Certification). – Continuing education credits related to medication management, such as updates in pharmacology, are required to ensure that staff remain knowledgeable about current best practices.

E. Protocols for Medication Errors and Adverse Reactions

Policy Statement: A structured, non-punitive protocol is in place for the immediate reporting, investigation, and resolution of any medication errors or adverse reactions. Prompt action is essential to mitigate harm, determine root causes, and implement corrective measures to prevent future occurrences.

Procedural Guidelines:

Immediate Notification:

– Any staff member who identifies a medication error or observes an adverse reaction must immediately notify the direct supervisor and the designated Medication Safety Officer. – In emergencies that pose an immediate risk to client health, the emergency response protocol must be initiated concurrently.

Incident Reporting:

– Complete a Medication Error Report form detailing the circumstances, including client identification, the medication involved, the nature of the error, the time of occurrence, and any immediate corrective action taken. – Reports must be submitted to the Quality Assurance and Compliance Team within 24 hours. – Corrections or adjustments to the MAR are documented concurrently with the error report. 3. Investigation and Root Cause Analysis:

– The Quality Assurance team conducts a thorough investigation using a root cause analysis methodology to determine underlying factors.