Medication Error
Definition: Any preventable event that may cause or lead to inappropriate medication use or patient harm. Includes wrong medication, wrong dose, wrong route, wrong time, wrong patient, and omitted doses.
In Practice
Medication management is heavily scrutinized during surveys. The Medication Administration CEP guides surveyors through observation of medication passes and review of medication records. Significant medication errors can result in actual harm citations. Facilities must have systems for reporting, investigating, and trending medication errors.