The Canadian Adverse Events Study (Baker et al, 2004) found drug or fluid-related events were the second most common type of adverse events in Canadian hospitals, accounting for 23.6% of the total. The cost attributed to adverse drug events has been reported to be $4,028 per event (Etchells et al, 2012). Furthermore, more than half of Canadians are using prescription drugs on a regular basis with 36% taking two or more medications (Health Council of Canada, 2014).
Medication Safety Summit
"We are not, as a country, doing enough to ensure the safe use of medications."
-Medication Safety Summit participant
The Canadian Patient Safety Institute in partnership with the
Institute for Safe Medication Practices Canada (ISMP Canada), hosted a national medication safety summit in Toronto, Ontario, in June 2014, to create the synergy and coordination required to accelerate improvements in safe medication use in Canada.
Arising from the summit,
A Medication Safety Action Plan with four themes (reporting, learning, and sharing; evidence informed practices; partnering with patients; and technology) was developed and distributed to meeting participants. A number of organizations volunteered to take lead roles for specific actions.
Action |
Involved Experts and Organizations |
Five Questions to Ask about your Medications | -
ISMP Canada
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Canadian Patient Safety Institute
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Patients for Patient Safety Canada
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Canadian Pharmacists Association
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Canadian Society for Hospital Pharmacists
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Check back for progress updates on A Medication Safety Action Plan.