Strategies to Prevent Adverse Events

• Build a culture that encourages transparency, teamwork and accountability.
• Provide education and competency programs for adverse event risk areas.
• Collaborate with referral sources to stress the importance of full and complete information during transfers.
• Utilize a standard document or data elements when transferring residents to medical appointments and/or other levels of care.
• Engage residents and/or caregivers:
  • Ask questions about conditions/treatments.
  • Check medication allergies.
  • Encourage caregivers to keep a list of medications.
  • Include in the plan of care.
• Review, adapt or implement a systematic process on medication safety systems:
  • Refer to Adverse Event Tools (17 Adverse Event Drug Trigger Worksheets are available to assist members with quality assurance efforts)
• Consider the role of the pharmacist.
• Consider the process around verbal orders.