Understanding the risks
By understanding the risks associated with each step of the dispensing process, pharmacists can identify who is associated with each step. Training and awareness of the roles of each member of the dispensary team is the first and most important step in minimising errors.
Use this risk assessment process to analyse where potential errors may occur and take steps to minimise the probability of it occurring.
Errors can and will happen in dispensing. It is how you identify and minimise the risk as well as training your team that will help you through the difficulties of going through a dispensing error process.
Action Points
Review your SOPs for dispensing procedures and managing dispensing errors. Ensure all staff are aware of the importance of maintaining an error log and how to learn from it. Check with your indemnity insurance provider to ensure that you have sufficient cover of the right type.
References
- NRLS Quarterly Data Workbook up to Dec 2014; Table 10: Reported incident types in community pharmacies by quarter, Oct 2013 - Sep 2014.
- Personal communication with the General Pharmaceutical Council. October 2015
- General Pharmaceutical Council. Responding to complaints and concerns. Guidance Note: September 2010