practice partner
Patient Safety
We use this forum to regularly report on findings from patient safety organizations, expert review committees
of the Office of the Chief Coroner, and inquests.
The risks of
managing complex
regimens at home
photo: istockphoto.com
R
ecent findings by the Institute of
Safe Medication Practices (ISMP)
Canada are challenging hospitals to
improve their medication discharge
processes in order to ensure effective communication with home care and community providers,
and to better engage patients and their caregivers
in their own care.
The recent bulletin from ISMP Canada states
that the shift from institutional to community
care presents new challenges as governments,
health-care organizations, and families try to help
patients maintain their independence as long as
possible in the comfort of their own homes.
“As a result, a growing number of medically
complex patients are receiving
care in the community with the
“Many of these
support of multiple caregivers cocaregivers are
ordinated by home care agencies.
Many of these caregivers (includattempting to
ing family members and personal
manage complex
support workers) are attempting
medication regimens to manage comp