Hospital leaders from across the country attend the HQIC Community of Practice Call. The small, rural and critical access voice was amplified through sharing of barriers and best practices alike. Furthermore, subject matter experts shared their perspectives and their favorite resources.
Why now?
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) defines an adverse drug event (ADE) as harm experienced by a patient because of exposure to a medication. ADEs do not always indicate an error or poor-quality care. However, it is generally estimated that around half of all ADEs are preventable. ADEs place patients at risk and are costly to the healthcare system.
In recent years, the opioid epidemic has highlighted the importance of preventing ADEs. Multiple initiatives have been developed to promote safe prescribing of opioids, including increased patient education and updated prescribing guidelines. Preventing all types of ADEs, including those related to opioids, remains a national patient safety priority.