LG 6.7 - Intro to Med Safety

Question 1

What are the factors to consider when evaluating new drug products?

Answer 1

• Efficacy
• Safety
• Cost
• Goal is right in the middle of all these

Question 2

What are the factors contributing to drug therapy costs?

Answer 2

• Acquisition cost (cost per day or cost per course of therapy)
• Cost of stoking product
• Preparation cost
• Cost of administration (personnel, technology)
• Cost of monitoring therapy
• Waste
• Cost of adverse drug reactions and medication errors
• Savings from improved efficacy, improved safety and decreased length of inpatient stays

Question 3

(1) What are some High Alert Situations (Medications)?

Answer 3

• Drug allergy
• Medication reconciliation (look at medications and make sure they all go well together)
• Drug dosage with organ dysfunction
• Computerized prescriber order entry and electronic medical record
• Pediatric medications

Question 4

(2) More high alert medications?

Answer 4

• Opioids and sedatives
• IV electrolytes
• Anticoagulants
• Insulin and Hypoglycemic agents
• Cancer chemotherapy