Policy Manual sample

MDT Home Health Care Agency, Inc. LOOK-ALIKE, SOUND-ALIKE MEDICATION POLICY: · It is the policy of our Agency to maintain a list of look-alike, sound-alike drugs used in the organization, and to implement measures to prevent errors involving the interchange of these drugs. · Ten (10) pairs of look-alike, sound-alike medications shall be chosen from the list provided by the QAPI Committee. Additional look-alike, sound-alike medications may be chosen, in addition to the 10 pairs from the safety list. PROCEDURE: · The QAPI committee, in conjunction with Nursing Department and all professional field staff, will develop and maintain a list of look-alike, sound-alike drugs that are used throughout the organization. The list will be approved by the the DON and Clinical manager as a clinical awareness issue due to the nature of potential drug interchange. Because of the fluid nature of the healthcare industry, the list will be reviewed every six (6) months by the Nursing Department for revision and continued approval. · This list will be distributed to all licensed professional staff every six (6) months, and as necessary when revisions are made. Measures outlined in accompanying policies, such as the Nursing Services Department policy and procedure, the organizational Ordering Medications/Drugs, High Alert Medication Management and the Decreasing Drug Errors policies and procedures, will be undertaken to prevent medication errors related to the procurement, storage, preparation, distribution and administration of look-alike, sound-alike and high alert medications. · The list of look-alike, sound-alike medications will be kept in a separated file, updated as necessary. Home Health Agency Nursing Care & Procedures K-153