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A National Database Tool Supporting Application of Performance Improvement Concepts to Medication Safety

Presented September 22, 2002 to September 24, 2002
National Association for Healthcare Quality
27th Annual Educational Conference, Nashville, TN

For more than a decade, the U.S. Pharmacopoeia (USP) has been involved in medication error reporting, and through this work, has developed a conceptual model for identifying and executing medication safety initiatives. This model entails data collection and analysis, integrates the critical next step of using the information to impact healthcare, and incorporates a mechanism for assessing this impact. To facilitate the model's implementation, USP developed MEDMARX®, an anonymous, Internet-accessible program that uses standardized definitions and classifications to report and track medication errors. The database enables hospitals to share experiences promoting learning and proactive development of safe medication processes. The USP conceptual model is presented, and key performance improvement concepts are discussed as they apply to the model. In addition, mechanisms for application of these concepts using the MEDMARX tool are illustrated as they apply to healthcare facilities at the local level, and standard setting organizations at the national level.

View the poster  (232KB).

Readers are advised that official USP cautions and warnings for drugs appear in the USP–NF or USP DI. Unless otherwise indicated, any advice or opinions expressed herein reflect solely the judgment of USP staff. Such statements are intended for further consideration and evaluation and may or may not be applicable to a particular practice.