Introduction: Why Documentation and Anonymity Matter in Pharmacy Practice Incident and close call reporting is a cornerstone of patient safety and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI+). Yet in many community pharmacies, documentation remains inconsistent or avoided altogether. The reasons are well known to pharmacists and pharmacy managers. When documentation feels risky or burdensome, valuable learning opportunities […]
Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI+) is not just a regulatory obligation in Alberta, it is a professional commitment to patient safety, learning, and safer pharmacy practice. The Alberta College of Pharmacy (ACP) has clearly outlined expectations for CQI+, including close call reporting, incident documentation, regular CQI meetings, safety self-assessments, and data sharing with the National Incident […]
In today’s community pharmacy environment, dispensing safely means looking beyond the prescription. Laboratory values and provincial health records often contain critical clinical information that can change a dispensing decision entirely. Yet, in busy practice settings, reviewing labs or Netcare is sometimes delayed, skipped, or treated as optional. At PharmaSafe, we consistently see that many preventable […]
Why Documenting Allergies Is One of the Most Powerful Safety Practices in Community Pharmacy In a busy community pharmacy, it is easy to assume that allergy documentation is already handled. A checkbox ticked during intake, a note added years ago, or a verbal confirmation at the counter can feel sufficient. Yet, allergy related medication incidents […]
The start of a new year is a natural moment for reflection and renewal. For community pharmacies, it is also the perfect time to strengthen systems, refresh habits, and recommit to what matters most, patient safety and high quality care. At PharmaSafe, we work closely with pharmacy teams across Alberta and beyond. One theme comes […]
Alberta community pharmacies are entering a new phase of continuous quality improvement under the Alberta College of Pharmacy (ACP) CQI+ program. While CQI has long been part of pharmacy practice, CQI+ places stronger emphasis on close-call reporting, documentation, proactive risk identification, and team-wide engagement. Many pharmacy teams are asking the same questions: To help answer […]
Community pharmacies are busy environments. Phones ring, patients wait, prescriptions arrive continuously, and clinical questions demand immediate attention. In the middle of all this, pharmacy professionals are expected to be accurate, efficient, and patient-centred. Multitasking often feels unavoidable. In reality, it is one of the most significant contributors to medication incidents and close calls in […]
Community pharmacies today operate under constant pressure. Prescription volumes are rising, patient expectations are higher than ever, and regulatory requirements continue to evolve. In this environment, pharmacy teams often feel caught between two competing priorities: working efficiently and maintaining patient safety. The truth is, efficiency and safety are not opposites. When designed correctly, they support […]
Medication incident reporting often feels intimidating in pharmacy practice. Many teams worry about blame, extra paperwork, or regulatory consequences. As a result, incidents and close calls may go undocumented, missed opportunities for learning and improvement. In reality, medication incident reporting is not about punishment. It is about understanding risks, strengthening systems, and preventing patient harm. […]
In pharmacy practice, verbal orders are sometimes unavoidable. Urgent clarifications, after-hours communications, emergency situations, or prescriber follow-ups often rely on spoken instructions. While verbal communication can be efficient, it also carries significant risk. Misheard drug names, incorrect doses, misunderstood frequencies, or assumptions made under time pressure can quickly lead to practice incidents that reach the […]
