Evidence-based Medication Safety Strategies and Measures for CAHs

Project Lead:
Contact Person:
Status:
Completed Project

The purpose of this project was to identify evidence-based medication safety strategies and quality measures for CAHs that could be used in Phase 3 of the Medicare Beneficiary Quality Improvement Program (MBQIP). Medication safety, with an emphasis on pharmacist review of medication orders, is an area of focus for MBQIP. The ability of many CAHs to implement medication safety initiatives is constrained by limited hours of pharmacist coverage. Strategies such as shared pharmacist coverage across hospitals and implementation of telepharmacy services have improved the ability of some small rural hospitals to provide timely pharmacist review of medication orders and related pharmacist services that can improve medication safety.