Drug Safety
Medication errors are among the most common medical mistakes, harming at least 1.5 million people every year. According to a report from the Institute of Medicine (IOM), the extra medical costs of treating drug-related injuries occurring in hospitals alone conservatively amounts to $3.5 billion a year. As a result, one key project within CCME's Medicare-sponsored Patient Safety Program focuses on drug safety. CCME works closely with physicians, prescription drug plans, and Medicare Advantage plans to provide information, resources, and tools designed specifically to solve this health crisis.
CCME’s care improvement staff is committed to preventing medication errors. One example of our expertise is our innovative Heart Failure Tool Kit, which was crafted to assist pharmacists and physicians educate their patients with heart failure on medication management. Along with this valuable intervention, CCME’s website offers new quality improvement tools, prescription safety information, and materials on topics such as potential drug-on-drug interactions and potentially inappropriate medications for older adults. As always, CCME’s ultimate goal is to continue to promote medical excellence across the Carolinas.
Please visit the Patient Safety Resources section for resources and more information on drug safety. Also, please visit our Drug Safety Measures in the Carolinas Population website.
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