In pharmacy practice, the most dangerous errors often come from what we don’t know. Patients move between hospitals, specialists, community clinics, and pharmacies—often assuming every provider has the same complete medication list. But without a validated, up-to-date record, medication discrepancies become one of the most common sources of practice incidents, leading to therapeutic duplication, missed […]
Polypharmacy—the use of multiple medications by a single patient—is increasingly common in community pharmacy practice. Aging populations, chronic disease management, specialist involvement, and complex treatment plans all contribute to patients taking five, ten, or even more medications at the same time. While necessary for many patients, polypharmacy significantly increases the risk of practice incidents, including […]
Introduction: Building a Safer Pharmacy System, Together Every day, thousands of prescriptions are dispensed across Alberta and Canada. Each interaction — from verifying prescriptions to counselling patients — carries both opportunity and responsibility. When errors or near misses occur, they represent valuable learning opportunities that can improve practice and prevent future harm. The National Incident […]
What Is a Safety Huddle? A safety huddle is a short, focused meeting where pharmacy team members come together to discuss safety issues, share recent experiences, and identify potential risks before they escalate. Unlike formal meetings, safety huddles are quick, collaborative, and action-oriented. They typically last just 5–10 minutes and take place regularly — often […]
Introduction: The Evolution of Quality in Alberta Pharmacies In recent years, the Alberta College of Pharmacy (ACP) has taken significant steps to strengthen patient safety and promote accountability in community pharmacy practice. One of the most impactful initiatives is CQI+ (Continuous Quality Improvement Plus) — a framework designed to help pharmacies not only comply with […]
Introduction: Why Safety Culture Matters in Healthcare In the fast-paced world of community pharmacy, patient safety is not just a goal — it’s a shared responsibility. Every prescription filled, every medication verified, and every counselling session delivered plays a vital role in protecting patients from harm. Establishing a strong safety culture within the pharmacy is […]
