In the United States, medication related problems and medication errors cause significant health and economic burdens. According to the report, Preventing Medication Errors: Quality Chasm Series, from the Institute of Medicine (IOM), 1.5 million people experience a preventable medication related injury every year, with an estimated $3.5 billion a year in extra medical costs from medication injuries occurring in hospitals alone. Older adults are at particular risk. Data indicates adults over the age of 65 years are more likely to have an adverse event from medication and be hospitalized from that injury than younger individuals.
New Jersey Drug Safety Initiative
Healthcare Quality Strategies, Inc., (HQSI) is conducting a patient focused, community based drug safety project to reduce the number of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) and drug-on-drug interactions (DDIs) with people with Medicare. The project involves the collaboration among healthcare providers and facilities, community based organizations, beneficiaries, and their caregivers. HQSI plans to share best practices, information, resources, and tools from the project on the HQSI website.
A key component of this project is a series of free community educational sessions, known as "brown bag" medication reviews. Participants are asked to bring all of their prescriptions and over-the-counter medications to these events, where they will meet one-on-one with a registered pharmacist.
The goals of the medication reviews include helping participants better understand their medications, identify any potential medication problems, and promote safe medication practices.
On our site you will find resources for reducing inappropriate prescribing, educational materials, and links to websites focused on improving medication safety.
HQSI can also provide technical assistance and guidance on quality improvement methods to assist healthcare providers and practitioners, pharmacies, and prescription drug plans under Medicare Part D with improving drug safety. Please contact us for more information.
