Kathy Vu, BscPhm, PharmD, ACPR, RPh, Clinical Lead, Safety Initiatives, Cancer Care OntarioSherrie Hertz, BScPhm, RPh, Program Manager, Specialized Services Oversight, Cancer Care OntarioLeonard Kaizer, MD, FRCP(C), Provincial Head, Systemic Treatment, Cancer Care OntarioAnnie Cheung, BScPhm, RPh, Pharmacist, Drug Formulary, Cancer Care OntarioNita Lakhani, BScPhm, RPh, Pharmacist, Drug Formulary, Cancer Care OntarioErin Redwood (nee Rae), BHSc, MBA, Program Manager, Systemic Treatment, Cancer Care Ontario Introduction John is a 69-year-old male patient who regularly comes to…
By Ian Stewart B.Sc.Phm., R.Ph. Pharmacy computer systems play a key role in identifying potential drug related problems such as the dispensing of an incorrect dose, an inappropriate change in drug therapy, potential drug interactions and contraindications due to patient allergies. However, an incorrect input by the computer operator can result in the failure of this important safety system. Case: Following dental surgery, a patient was prescribed Amoxicillin 500mg to be taken three times daily…
Anne Kalvik, Pearl IsaacCentre for Addiction and Mental HealthLeslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy It’s important for pharmacists to know that their interaction with patients is a therapeutic moment that can be beneficial or detrimental, depending on their attitude. Some of Toronto’s great community pharmacists have a significant impact on recovery and these positive relationships certainly promote patient retention! Dale WiebePhysician, Addiction Medicine Service, CAMH. 5 THINGS TO KNOW Stigma refers to negative attitudes and behaviours…
By Ian Stewart B.Sc.Phm., R.Ph. The similarity of drug names is a common factor in the dispensing of an incorrect drug. Poor verbal or written skills can increase the risk of errors involving drugs with similar names. Case: A sixty year-old patient has been taking Valsartan 40mg once daily for an extended period of time. On a recent visit to his family physician, he was given a prescription for Telmisartan 40mg once daily. The prescription…
Inquest into Death of an Elderly Patient on Fentanyl A 95 year old woman, TP, the subject of a coroner’s inquest, died a year after being placed in a retirement home. The reported cause of death was acute myocardial infarction, secondary to coronary artery disease and a left hip fracture, with dementia reported as a contributor. Documentation irregularities and concern about the use of fentanyl for pain control led the coroner’s jury to refer the…
B.F was an employee of a small lawn sprinkler company that had been in business for ten years. He suffered from schizophrenia and was prescribed the antipsychotic drug, olanzapine, to control his symptoms. His employer was aware that he had mental health issues but not of his exact diagnosis or medical treatment and any related issues. On the day of the incident, B.F. was working as usual on the installation of a residential lawn sprinkler…
The Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA) identifies thirteen controlled acts that may only be performed by an authorized regulated health professional. Any controlled act can be delegated by a regulated health professional with the authority to do so to someone (regulated or unregulated) who is not authorized, as long as delegation is not prohibited by legislation or organizational policy (for example, a registered pharmacy student may neither delegate a controlled act nor accept the…
By Ian Stewart B.Sc.Phm., R.Ph. To obtain the optimal benefit of vaccine administration, patients must receive the correct vaccine, at the correct dosage and at the correct time and interval. The variety of vaccines and dosing schedules available can be confusing and may lead to administration errors. Pharmacists can play a key role in preventing errors associated with vaccine administration. Case 1: RxHavrix® 0.5mlSig: As directedMitte: 1 vial The above Havrix® vaccine was prescribed for…
One of the most frequently asked questions by members at the College is what the responsibility of the pharmacist is when they are presented with an electronically generated prescription (i.e. a prescription generated from an Electronic Medical Record). Confusion among prescribers and pharmacists regarding what constitutes e-prescribing, and how prescription technology can be used responsibly has further compounded this issue. This article builds on the Position Statement, Authenticity of Prescriptions using Unique Identifiers for Prescribers,…
This article will explore some of the terms used in the College’s proposed Professional Misconduct Regulations and the advantages in using open-ended language. As regulated health professionals, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are required to practice within the parameters established by legal and ethical frameworks. However, the formal language used in laws and regulations can appear imprecise. For example, regulations may contain words and phrases that seem general and/or euphemistic, meant to guide professional behaviour, rather…
