Click to have a look on the publications issued by each IMSN member
Hong Kong Hospital Authority
- Medication Safety Bulletin
The Medication Safety Bulletin (MSB) is published biannually (May and November) to serve as an educational publication to share issues related to medication safety.
Periodicity: twice a year
Publication langage: English
No subscription. Available for free download.
Access to Medication Safety Bulletin: Read on...
What's new in the last issue?
- Highlights of the Medication Safety Forum 2022
- Sharing of recent incidents and safety tips regarding Paxlovid
- Safety information update for Rosuvastatin
- Kowloon West Cluster’s sharing on near misses: Beware of different formulations of Denosumab and Oxycodone
- Risk Alert
A risk management newsletter for Hong Kong Hospital Authority healthcare professionals
Periodicity: four issues by year
Publication langage: English
No subscription. Available for free download.
Access to Risk Alert: Read on...
What's new in the last issue?
- Opening Message: From Risk to Opportunities, simultaneously vice versa
- Sentinel Events (SEs) (1Q 2023): Retained Instruments / Material, In Patient Suicide
- Serious Untoward Events (SUEs) (1Q 2023): Medication errors
- Local Sharing: Prevention of Tourniquet Retention, HO PS&RM Seminar Series on Clinical Incident Management
Irish Medication Safety Network
- IMSN Medication Safety Bulletin
Periodicity: biannual
Publication langage: English
No Subscription. Available for free download.
Access to the IMSN Medication Safety Bulletin: Read on...
Follow IMSN on Twitter
What's new in the last issue?
- IMSN Conference: Round-up of 2022 & What’s in store for 2023
- The digital age
- Extent & impact of hospital pharmacist shortages on medication safety in Irish hospitals
- To err is human, to learn is divine... Ten–fold dosing error, Verbal order– Wrong drug, Acute Kidney Injury from Gentamicin - The Medication Safety Minute
1-min medication safety messages compiled by Eileen Relihan, Una Kennedy and Barry O’Connell from St. James’s Hospital, Dublin for their hospital prescribers.
Periodicity: once a week
Publication langage: English
No subscription. Available on Twitter @medsafetymin
Access to The Medication Safety Minute: Twitter
What's new in the last issue?
- Enoxaparin in renal impairment…
- IMSN Safety Alerts
IMSN medication safety briefings and alerts are published in the Pharmacy Journal and Clinical Indemnity Scheme Newsletter
Periodicity: as needed
Publication langage: English
No Subscription. Available for free download.
Access to IMSN Safety Alerts: Read on...
What's the last alert?
April 2020 - COVID-19 Drug Check Read on…
November 2019 - IMSN Safety Alert: Risks with IV paracetamol (version 2, update of original alert published in January 2012) Read on…
9 April 2019 - CycloGEST CytoTEC errors in pregnancy. Read on…
08 January 2019 - Reducing harm from omitted & delayed Parkinsons Disease medication Read on…
21 November 2017 - IMSN Safety Alert: Safe Use of Prostaglandin Analogues in Obstetrics Read on…
7 April 2017 - IMSN Safety Alert: Risks associated with High-Strength Insulin Preparations Read on…
October 2016 - IMSN Safety Alert on Allergy and Anaphylaxis to Known Drug Allergens (update of original alert published in October 2012) Read on…
July 2016 - IMSN Safety Alert: Risk of Cross-contamination with Insulin Pens (update of original alert published in November 2013) Read on…
July 2016 - IMSN Safety Alert: Confusion Risk with trastuzumab EMTANSINE (Kadcyla®) and trastuzumab (update of original alert published in July 2014) Read on…
October 2015 - IMSN Safety Alert: IV Magnesium Sulphate in Obstetrics Read on…
May 2015 - IMSN Safety Alert on Novel Oral Anticoagulants (NOACs) Read on…
ISMP Brasil
- Boletim ISMP Brasil
The ISMP Brasil Newsletter aims to disseminate relevant information on medication errors at all levels of health care. In each edition, topics of interest for institutions, health professionals and society are addressed.
Periodicity: four to five issues by year
Publication langage: Portuguese
No Subscription. Available for free download or sent by e-mail to registered users.
Access to Boletim ISMP Brasil: Read on...
Follow ISMP Brasil on Twitter
What's new in the last issue?
Safety of medicine labeling and packaging
- Safety Alerts
Periodicity: as needed
Publication langage: Portuguese
No Subscription. Available for free download.
What's the last alert?
March 2023 - Prevent errors involving medications with similar names, spelling, sound, and packaging. Read on (in Portuguese)…
January 2020 - Prevent administration errors involving vincristine Read on…
March 2019 - Prevent administration errors with penicillins! Read on…
January 2019 - Prevent administration errors involving syringes! Read on…
April 2017 - Mix-up risk between vaccine vials Read on...
August 2016 - Mix-up risk with vials of injectable potassium chloride Read on...
28 April 2016 - Mix-up risk with flu vaccine vials Read on...
ISMP Canada
- ISMP Canada Safety Bulletin
The purpose of the bulletins is to confidentially share the information received about medication incidents which have occurred and to suggest medication system improvement strategies for enhancing patient safety. The bulletins will also share alerts and warnings specific to the Canadian market place.
Periodicity: 10 to 13 issues by year
Publication langages: English and French
No Subscription (excepted for commercial corporations or Government agencies).
Available for free download or sent by e-mail to registered users.
Access to the ISMP Canada Safety Bulletin: Read on...
Access to the Bulletin de l’ISMP Canada: Read on...
Follow ISMP Canada on Twitter
What's new in the last issue?
- Acetaminophen-Related Harm: A Call for Improved Product Packaging
- Lactulose for Hepatic Encephalopathy
- “Mild” or “Severe” Harm? Ensuring the Accuracy of Reported Incidents
- Join the new Canadian Medication Safety Network!
- Med Safety Exchange – Webinar Series - ISMP Canada Alerts
Periodicity: as needed
Publication langage: English and French
Available for free download or sent by e-mail to registered users.
Access to ISMP Canada Alerts: Read on...
What's the last alert?
21 July 2022 - ALERT: Infusion Errors Leading to Fatal Overdoses of N-Acetylcysteine Read on…
26 May 2022 - ALERT: Substitution Error with Tranexamic Acid during Spinal Anesthesia Read on...
28 March 2022 - ALERT: Multipronged Strategy Required to Manage Shortage of Sterile Water for Injection Read on...
6 May 2021 - ALERT: Rocuronium Vials Lack Recommended Warning on Ferrule Read on...
15 October 2020 - ALERT: Risk of Inadvertent Reconstitution of Medications with Cleaning Products Read on...
1 May 2020 - ALERT: Hand Sanitizers that Look Like Drinks Read on...
7 December 2017 - ALERT: Polyethylene Glycol and Propylene Glycol Mix-up Causes Harm Read on...
9 September 2015 - ALERT: Methylene Blue Interaction Leads to Serotonin Syndrome Read on...
31 March 2015 - ALERT: Shortage of Topical Epinephrine 1:1000 Poses Safety Risks Read on... - SafeMedicationUse.ca Safety Consumer Newsletter
SafeMedicationUse.ca provides a better way for consumers to report medication incidents and to get information about using medication safely.
Periodicity: 8 to 10 issues by year
Publication langages: English and French
No Subscription. Available for free download or sent by e-mail to registered users.
Access to the SafeMedicationUse.ca Safety Consumer Newsletter: Read on...
Access to the Bulletin de Médicamentssécuritaires.ca: Read on...
What's new in the last issue?
- Ask the Right Questions: Your Best Shot at Preventing Vaccine Errors!
- SafeMedicationUse.ca Safety Alert for Consumers
SafeMedicationUse.ca provides a better way for consumers to report medication incidents and to get information about using medication safely.
Periodicity: 8 to 10 issues by year
Publication langages: English and French
No Subscription. Available for free download or sent by e-mail to registered users.
Access to SafeMedicationUse.ca Safety Alert for Consumers: Read on...
Access to Médicamentssécuritaires.ca Alerte: Read on...
What's the last alert?
31 March 2014 - More Reports of Eye Injuries Involving Clear Care Read on...
- Ontario Critical Incident Learning Bulletin
Funding for this bulletin and the associated knowledge translation project is provided by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
Periodicity: four to five issues by year
Publication langage: English
No subscription. Available for free download.
Access to Ontario Critical Incident Learning: Read on...
What's new in the last issue?
- Strengthening Medication Reconciliation (MedRec) at Discharge
- Regular columns in professional journals
From 1999 to 2010, ISMP Canada articles were published in regular columns that appear in the Canadian Journal of Hospital Pharmacy (CJHP), in Hospital News, and less frequently in the Canadian Pharmacists Journal, the official publication of the Canadian Pharmacists Association.
CACCN Dynamics
CACCN Dynamics is a journal published by the Canadian Association of Critical Care Nurses.
Publication langage: English
Access to ISMP Canada column in CACCN Dynamics: Read on...Healthcare Quarterly
Healthcare Quarterly' objectives are to document and disseminate leading practices in health service delivery and policy development and to help Canadian health system managers anticipate and respond to changing environments, demands and mandates. Healthcare Quarterly’s target audience is decision and policy makers in governments, regions, networks, hospitals and facilities across Canada and internationally.
Publication langage: English
Access to ISMP Canada articles in Healthcare Quarterly: Read on...Pharmacy Connection
Pharmacy Connection is the official publication of the Ontario College of Pharmacists.
Publication langage: English
Access to ISMP Canada column in Pharmacy Connection: Read on...
ISMP España
- ISMP España Boletin
The contents of this newsletter with recommendations for prevention of medication errors have been made from the reports sent by health professionals to the medication errors reporting and learning programme financed by the Spanish Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality.
Periodicity: 1 to 6 issues by year
Publication langage: Spanish
No subscription. Available for free download.
Access to ISMP España Boletin: Read on...
Follow ISMP España on Twitter
What's new in the last issue?
Top 10 Types of High Risk Medication Errors Reported in 2021
- ISMP España Alertas
Periodicity: as needed
Publication langage: Spanish
No subscription. Available for free download.
Access to ISMP España Alertas: Read on...
What's the last alert?
April 2016 - Change in the presentation of Methotrexate Wyeth° 2.5 mg tablets to prevent medication errors Read on...
12 July 2012 - Risk of error in the preparation of cabazitaxel (Jevtana°) Read on... - Labeling/packaging prone to errors
Periodicity: as needed
Publication langage: Spanish
No subscription. Available for free consultation.
Access to ISMP España Labeling/packaging prone to errors: Read on...
What are the last alerts?
23 August 2023 - Confusion between bags of Ciprofloxacin Normon° 2 mg/mL 100 mL and Levobupivacaine Normon° 1.25 mg/mL 100 mL
4 August 2023 - Dosage errors associated with the labeling of Heparin sodium Rovi° solution for injection
23 May 2023 - Risk of dosing errors associated with a change in the labeling of Genta-Gobens° 80 and 240 mg (gentamicin)
29 April 2023 - Remember the risk of confusion between ampoules of Solinitrina Fuerte° 5 mg/mL 10 mL and Noradrenaline Normon° 0.5 mg/mL 10 mL
22 March 2023- Risk of overdose errors associated with the labeling of DigoKern° 0.25 mg/mL solution for injection ampoules
29 December 2022 - Confusion between ampoules of Amchafibrin° (tranexamic acid) 500 mg/5 mL and Flumazenil Altan° 0.5 mg/5 mL
30 November 2022 - Confusion between Dexamethasone Kern Pharma° 4 mg/mL and Buscapine° 20 mg/mL (butylscopolamine bromide) ampoules
11 August 2022 - Risk of dosing errors related to the labeling change of Noradrenaline B.Braun° ampoules and vials
27 February 2022 - Confusion between the packaging of Etoposide Accord° 20 mg_mL and Gemcitabine Accord° 1000 mg
23 February 2022 - Risk of confusion between packaging of Abacavir Tarbis° 300 mg and Valganciclovir Tarbis° 450 mg coated tablets
30 December 2021 – Recall of the risk of confusion between ampoules of Fentanest° 0.15 mg/3mL (fentanyl) and Ondansetron Normon° 4 mg/2mL
28 December 2021 - Confusion between Carbamazepine Normon° 200mg and Lormetazepam Normon° 2mg tablets
26 November 2021 - Risk of confusion between Cuatrocrem° cream 30g, Celecrem° cream 30g and Lubristesic° ointment 25g
20 October 2021 - "We were saying yesterday": confusion between Misofar° 25 and 200 micrograms vaginal tablets packaging and blister packs
12 October 2021 - Risk of confusion associated with the labeling of Medaxone° (ceftriaxone) 1 g vial and Zepilen° (cefazolin) 1 and 2 g vials
8 September 2021 - Risk of confusion between Mycophenolate mofetil Accord° 250 and 500 mg and Mycophenolic Acid Accord° 180 and 360 mg
26 August 2021 – Risk of confusion in the packaging of Gine-Canestén° 100 mg and 500 mg vaginal tablets
14 August 2021 - Risk of errors associated with the labeling of Hepaxane° (enoxaparin) pre-filled syringes
26 May 2021 - Risk of confusion between Tiaprizal° 100 mg / 2 mL (tiapride) and Metoclopramide Kern Pharma° 10 mg / 2 mL ampoules
18 May 2021 – Recall of the risk of dosage errors associated with the labeling of Inhixa° (enoxaparin)
28 March 2021 - Risk of dosing errors with Esbriet° (pirfenidone) 267 mg coated tablets
30 December 2020 - Confusion between the packages of Cisatracurio Normon° 10 mg/5 mL and 20 mg/mL solution for injection
26 December 2020 – Recall of the risk of confusion between Midazolam Normon° ampoules of 5 mg/5 mL and 15 mg/3 mL
30 November 2020 - Risk of confusion between 10 mL plastic ampoules of Bupivacaine B. Braun° 2.5mg/mL, 5 mg/mL and 7.5 mg/mL
28 November 2020 - Risk of dosage errors associated with the labeling of Inhixa° (enoxaparin)
28 August 2020 - Confusion between the ampoules of Elgadil° 5 mg/mL (urapidil) and Eufilina° 200 mg/10 mL (theophylline) solution for injection
20 August 2020 - Risk of confusion between Morphine B Braun° 1 mg/mL and 10 mg/mL solution for injection
21 July 2020 - Dosage errors associated with the labeling of Heparin sodium Rovi° solution for injection
28 June 2020 – Recall of the risk of confusion between Solinitrine Fuerte° 5 mg/mL amp 10mL and Noradrenaline Normon° 1mg/mL amp 10mL
29 February 2020 - Risk of confusion between Syntocinón° 10 IU/1 mL (oxytocin) and Nuvacthen Depot° 1 mg/1 mL (tetracosactide) packages
22 February 2020 - Confusion persists between packages and blister packs of Misofar° vaginal tablets of 25 and 200 micrograms (see previous alert of 30 June 2017)
18 February 2020 - Still risk of confusion between the ampoules of Fentanest° 0.15 mg / 3 mL (fentanyl) and Ondansetron Normon° 4 mg / 2 mL and Petidine hydrochloride GES° 100 mg / 2 mL (see previous alert of 8 June 2016)
6 December 2019 – Recall of the risk of confusion between ampuls of Tramadol Normon° 100 mg / 2 mL and Mepivacaine Normon° 2% solution for injection 2 mL (see previous alert of 23 November 2017)
28 November 2019 - Change of the labeling of the ampuls of Suplecal° Mini-Plasco solution for injection 10 mL
28 September 2019 - Recall of the risk of confusion between the 10 mL ampoules of 2% Mepivacaine and 2.5 mg / mL Levobupivacaine Normon
23 August 2019 - Confusion between Midazolam Normon° ampoules of 5 mg / 5 mL and 15 mg / 3 mL
14 August 2019 - Risk of confusion between ampoules of Syntocinon° 10 IU/1 mL (oxytocin) and Synacthén° 0.25 mg/1 mL (tetracosactide)
25 July 2019 - Risk of confusion between outer packages of Efavirenz Aurovitas° 600 mg and Abacavir/Lamivudine Aurovitas° 600 mg/300 mg coated tablets
29 June 2019 – Recall of the risk of dosing errors with Nexavar° (sorafenib) tablets 200 mg
22 June 2019 - Risk of confusion between 500 mL bottles of Glucose 5% and Glucose hypertonic 20% and 40% from Fresenius Kabi
26 April 2019 - Confusion between the presentations of Mitomycin-C° 10 mg and 40 mg
26 March 2019 - Still risk of intravenous administration of drinkable ampoules of Hydroferol° (calcifediol) 0.266 mg
12 February 2019 - Risk of confusion between Ropivacaine° B. Braun 20 mg / 10 mL and 75 mg / 10 mL
6 November 2018 - Confusion of the 10 mL plastic ampoules of Bupivacaine° B.Braun 2.5 mg / mL, 5 mg / mL and 7.5 mg / mL with those of Physiological Serum° B.Braun
26 October 2018 - Risk of dosing errors associated with the labeling of Nucala° 100 mg vial
20 October 2018 - Confusion between Fresubín° Original 500 mL and Fresubín° Original Fiber 500 mL
5 June 2018 - Risk of dosing errors associated with the labeling change of Ranitidine Normon° 50 mg / 10 mL ampoules
10 April 2018 - Risk of confusion between the capsules of Revlimid° 15 mg and Revlimid° 25 mg (lenalidomide)
26 February 2018 - Risk of confusion between MicardisPlus° (telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide) tablets 40 mg/12.5 mg and 80 mg/12.5 mg
15 February 2018 - "We said yesterday": omission in the administration of trimethoprim when using Soltrim° injectable (sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim)
29 January 2018 - Recall of the risk of incorrect storage of vials of Zerbaxa° 1 g/0.5 g (ceftozolan/tazobactam)
22 January 2018 - Dosage errors due to confusion between budesonide nebulizing ampoules of 0.5 mg / 2 mL and 1 mg / 2 mL (Budesonide Aldo-Unión° or Pulmicort°)
9 January 2018 - "We said yesterday": confusion between Sandostatin° ampoules 0.05 mg (octreotide) and Sandimmun° 50 mg (ciclosporin)
23 November 2017 - Confusions continue between the ampuls of Tramadol Normon° 100 mg / 2 mL and Mepivacaine Normon° 2% solution for injection 2 mL
18 November 2017 - Risk of confusion between the packages of Etoposide Tevagen° 100 mg / 5 mL and Fludarabine Teva° 50 mg / 2 mL
10 November 2017 – Risk of confusion between vials of CellCept° 500 mg (mycophenolate mofetil) and Meropenem Aurovitas° 1000 mg
28 October 2017 - Confusion between oral ampuls of Hydroferol° (calcifediol) 0.266 mg and injectable ampoules of Furosemide Gesfur° 20 mg
30 June 2017 - Confusion between the packs and the blisters of Misofar° vaginal tablets of 25 and 200 micrograms
22 June 2017 - Risk of dosing errors with Sprycel (dasatinib) coated tablets 50 and 70 mg
6 June 2017 - Confusion between IV Minibags Levobupivacaine Normon° 0.625 mg/mL 100 mL and Levofloxacin Normon° 5 mg/mL 100 mL
16 February 2017 - Risk of confusion between ampuls of Ropivacaine GES° 2 mg/mL 10 mL and Magnesium Sulfate Genfarma° 1.5 g/10 mL
26 January 2017 - Confusion between 10 mL plastic ampoules of Lidocaine B Braun° and Glucocemin° 33% Braun
22 December 2016 - Confusion of Diclofenac Llorens° ampuls 75 mg / 3 mL with those of Metamizol Normon° 2 g / 5 mL and Flumil® 300 mg / 3 mL (acetylcysteine)
12 October 2016 - Risk of dosage errors with Aspegic° injectable
26 August 2016 - Risk of dosage errors with Nexavar° (sorafenib) tablets 200 mg
5 August 2016 - Risk of inappropriate storage of vials Zerbaxa° 1 g / 0.5 g (ceftozolane / tazobactam)
2 August 2016 - Continuing confusion between Alkeran° 2 mg (melphalan) and Leukeran° 2 mg (chlorambucil)
1 August 2016 - Confusion between packages of Remifentanil Sala° vials 1 and 5 mg
21 July 2016 - Risk of incorrect conservation Mekinist° 0.5 mg, 1 mg and 2 mg coated tablets (trametinib)
ISMP USA
- ISMP Medication Safety Alert! Acute Care edition
The Acute Care edition newsletter has been in circulation since 1996. It is a compilation of medication and device related errors, prevention recommendations and editorial content. It alerts practitioners and managers in a timely fashion to potentially hazardous situations that may contribute to adverse drug events.
Periodicity: biweekly
Publication langage: English
On subscription only. Sent by e-mail to subscribers.
Access to ISMP Medication Safety Alert! Acute Care edition: Read on...
Follow ISMP on Twitter
What's new in the last issue?
- Patient Death Tied to Lack of Proper Escalation Process for Barcode Scanning Failures
- Worth repeating…FLUZONE packaging leads to a double dose
- Safety briefs: Hazard Alert! Medisca 20 mL oral syringes could lead to dosing errors; Some Cardinal Health Monoject syringes incompatible with syringe pumps
- The myth about the safety of the “Five Rights”
- Message in our Mailbox: Follow up on amiodarone dosing error
- Fatal N-acetylcysteine overdose due to pump programming errors - ISMP Alerts
In addition to a full suite of medication safety newsletters for healthcare professionals and consumers, ISMP makes available urgent medication advisories. These Safety Alerts address serious medication errors or information requiring immediate attention by healthcare practitioners.
Periodicity: as needed
Publication langage: English
No Subscription.
Access to ISMP Alerts: Read on...
What are the last alerts?
9 January 2023 - Isoflurane Labeled “For Animal Use Only” in Cartons of Isoflurane Intended for Human Use. Read on…
3 January 2022 - Medication Safety Issues with Newly Authorized PAXLOVID Read on…
14 May 2021 - Barcode Scanning Error. Read on…
27 January 2021 - HAZARDOUS SITUATION – PLEASE REACT IMMEDIATELY
Certain Meitheal Pharmaceuticals cartons labeled properly as cisatracurium, but the vials within are mislabeled as phenylephrine but actually contain cisatracurium Read on…
6 September 2018 - Check for Proper Nucala Dose Preparation Read on...
24 April 2018 - Verapamil-Naloxone Look-Alike Vials Read on...
23 April 2018 - Packaging Could Lead to Acetaminophen Overdoses Read on... - National Alert Network (NAN) Alert
ISMP joined with the other members of the National Coordinating Council on Medication Error Reporting and Prevention (NCC MERP) to create a National Alert Network (NAN) that broadens the reach of alerts. The NAN warns healthcare providers through several national distribution channels of the risk for medication errors that have recently caused serious harm or death.
Periodicity: as needed
Publication langage: English
No Subscription. Available for free download or sent by e-mail to ISMP bulletins subscribers.
Access to National Alert Network (NAN) Alert: Read on...
What are the last alerts?
May 17, 2022: Potassium Chloride for Injection Concentrate in EXCEL Plastic Bags
Read on…
December 6, 2021: Age-Related COVID-19 Vaccine Mix-Ups Read on…
October 15, 2021: Mix-Ups Between the Influenza (Flu) Vaccine and COVID-19 Vaccines
Read on…
September 9, 2020: Dangerous Wrong-Route Errors with Tranexamic Acid. Read on…
May 24, 2018: Safe handling of concentrated electrolyte products from outsourcing facilities during critical drug shortages Read on...
12 October 2017: Severe hyperglycemia in patients incorrectly using insulin pens at home Read on...
15 September 2016: Observe for possible fluid leakage when preparing parenteral syringes Read on...
30 June 2015 - Move toward full use of metric dosing: Eliminate dosage cups that measure liquids in fluid drams. Use cups that measure mL Read on...
23 March 2015 - Potentially dangerous confusion between Bloxiverz (neostigmine) injection and Vazculep (phenylephrine) injection Read on... - ISMP Medication Safety Alert! Community/Ambulatory Care edition
The Community/Ambulatory Care edition is targeted toward pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, nurses, physicians and other community health professionals. This newsletter provides timely information about medication-related errors and adverse drug reactions and their implications for community practice sites, and offers recommendations on how to improve medication safety within the community setting.
Periodicity: montly
Publication langage: English
On subscription only. Sent by e-mail to subscribers.
Access to ISMP Medication Safety Alert! Community/Ambulatory Care edition: Read on...
What's new in the last issue?
- Prevent Administration of Ear Drops into the Eyes
- Education in proper use of insulin pen needles is needed
- Safety briefs: Lost in translation; The first 5 letters are not always enough
- Worth repeating...Mix-ups between BIKTARVY dosage strengths
- Welcome 2023-2024 Fellows: Shawn Bookwalter, PharmD, MSHI, BCPS; Jessica Trinh, PharmD; Mariam Gawdat, PharmD, MS - ISMP Medication Safety Alert! Long-Term Care Advise-ERR
The Long-Term Care Advise-ERR is a newsletter specifically tailored to the long-term care setting, which provides timely medication safety information to staff working with resident populations that are often elderly, frail, dependent, complex in nature, and fraught with many different illnesses and dysfunctions.
Periodicity: monthly
Publication langage: English
On subscription only
Access to ISMP Medication Safety Alert! Long-Term Care Advise-ERR: Read on...
What's new in the last issue?
- Sulfa, sulfur, sulfite, and sulfate allergy confusion
- what’s in a Name? The “calci” drug stem names - ISMP Medication Safety Alert! Nurse Advise-ERR
The Nurse Advise-ERR is designed to meet the medication safety information needs of nurses who transcribe orders, administer medications, and monitor the effects of medications on patients. The newsletter offers detailed error reports and checklists of evidence-based error reduction strategies.
Periodicity: monthly
Publication langage: English
On subscription only
Access to ISMP Medication Safety Alert! Nurse Advise-ERR: Read on...
What's new in the last issue?
- Taking a Closer Look at Medication Errors Involving Intravenous Oxytocin
- The myth about the safety of the “Five Rights”, a podcast from Susan Paparella, ISMP Vice President. Access
- Safety Wire: Automated dispensing cabinet (ADC) drug description leads to mannitol overdose
- Worth repeating… Errors continue with B. Braun intravenous (IV) bag labeling and difficult-to-scan barcode
- what’s in a Name? The “-steride” drug stem name
- World Patient Safety Day – September 17
- Judy Smetzer Just Culture Champion Scholarships
- ISMP Safe Medicine
Safe Medicine is the US consumer health education newsletter that focuses specifically on the prevention of medication errors. This ISMP newsletter teaches consumers to become active partners with their healthcare providers and assume a leading role in ensuring safe medication use.
Periodicity: bimonthly
Publication langage: English
On subscription only
Access to ISMP Safe Medicine: Read on...
What's new in the last issue?
- Confusing Expiration Date Information on Some Paxlovid Prescriptions
- Advice from FDA: Products marketed for removing moles and other skin lesions can cause injuries, scarring
- Safety Tip: Double check prescription medicine dispensed in a manufacturer’s container - ISMP Safety Video Newsletter Series
October 15, 2017 - Episode #3
April 1st, 2017 - Episode #2
July 1st, 2016 - Episode #1
- Regular columns in professional journals
Hospital Pharmacy
Hospital Pharmacy is an independent, peer-reviewed journal, practitioner-focused and dedicated to the promotion of best practices and medication safety. This seminal column hosted since 1975 until 2019 by Hospital Pharmacy was the first regular publication on medication errors analysis and prevention.
Access to ISMP Medication Error Report Analysis in Hospital Pharmacy archives: Read on...Journal of Emergency Nursing
The Journal of Emergency Nursing is the official peer-reviewed journal of the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA), reaching emergency nurses, emergency/trauma departments and emergency department managers.
Publication langage: English
Access to Danger Zone column in Journal of Emergency Nursing: Read on...Pharmacy Times
Pharmacy Times is a clinically-based, monthly journal providing practical information pharmacists can use in their everyday practice.
Periodicity: monthly
Publication langage: English
Access to Medication Safety column in Pharmacy Times: Read on...
ivm Voorkomen Medicatie-Incidenten (VMI)
- VMI Praktijkprikkel
A dynamic way on involving healthcare practitioners into patient safety attention so-called “Practice Stings”, meaning incentives about practice. With the consent of the reporter, case reports are presented with a short analysis. The described problem, selected by the possibility to occur at other organizations, is submitted to a specific survey on the problem and ways of preventing it. Its purpose is to raise awareness in other organizations and to stimulate them to consider in their own work environment what precautions are needed to prevent a similar incident from occurring.
Periodicity: as needed
Publication langage: Dutch, English translation since September 2021
No Subscription. Available for free download or sent by e-mail to registered users.
Access to VMI Praktijkprikkel: Read on (in Dutch)...Follow ivmVMI on Twitter
What are the last VMI Praktijkprikkel?
21 September 2023 - Praktijkprikkel 2023-13: Sinaspril paracetamol syrup and babies Read on…
7 September 2023 - Praktijkprikkel 2023-12: Administering medicines using the administration list Read on…
10 August 2023 - Praktijkprikkel 2023-11: Breastfeeding and oxycodone
20 July 2023 - Praktijkprikkel 2023-10: Confusion in choosing the right type of insulin Read on…
29 June 2023 - Praktijkprikkel 2023-09: The administration of omeprazole suspension Pedippi° to babies Read on…
7 June 2023 - Praktijkprikkel 2023-08: Prescribing cytostatics is an art in itself Read on…
17 May 2023 - Praktijkprikkel 2023-07: Traveling with medicines Read on…
26 April 2023 - Praktijkprikkel 2022-06: Confusing anticoagulation advice before surgery Read on…
6 April 2023 - Praktijkprikkel 2022-05: Preparing remifentanil for administration Read on…
16 March 2023 - Praktijkprikkel 2023-04: Medication changes in patients with dementia Read on…
23 February 2023 - Praktijkprikkel 2023-03: Pieces breaking loose of inhalation capsules lead to concerns for the patient Read on…
2 February 2023 - Praktijkprikkel 2023-02: Labeling syringes Read on…
12 January 2023 - Praktijkprikkel 2023-01: Wrong prescription processing in the medicine roll Read on…
21 December 2022 - Praktijkprikkel 2022-26: Annual prescription of dual medication of antithrombotics Read on…
8 December 2022 - Praktijkprikkel 2022-25: Switching of HPV-vaccine Read on…
23 November 2022 - Praktijkprikkel 2022-24: Check of the setting of the infusion pump Read on…
10 November 2022 - Praktijkprikkel 2022-23: Prescribing standard order package
Read on…
27 October 2022 - Praktijkprikkel 2022-22: Dangerous dysregulation due to ciclosporin interaction with Panclamox° Read on...
13 October 2022 - Praktijkprikkel 2022-21: Understandable information about the medication Read on...
27 September 2022 - Praktijkprikkel 2022-20: Overdoses due to shortages of methotrexate tablets Read on…
15 September 2022 - Praktijkprikkel 2022-19: Confusion of testosterone injectable forms
1st September 2022 - Praktijkprikkel 2022-18: Chronic nitrofurantoin use Read on…
18 August 2022 - Praktijkprikkel 2022-17: Wrong PCA Pump Read on…
4 August 2022 - Praktijkprikkel 2022-16: Contraceptive injection at the wrong injection site Read on…
21 July 2022 - Praktijkprikkel 2022-15: A snag in medicine substitution Read on…
7 July 2022 - Praktijkprikkel 2022-14: Qutenza° patches and occupational exposure Read on…
23 June 2022 - Praktijkprikkel 2022-13: From hospice back to home Read on…
9 June 2022 - Praktijkprikkel 2022-12: Medication on the bedside table Read on…
25 May 2022 - Praktijkprikkel 2022-11: Medication patch not removed in time Read on…
12 May 2022 - Praktijkprikkel 2022-10: Why are things going wrong with the EpiPen?
28 April 2022 - Praktijkprikkel 2022-09: Wrong computer settings Read on…
14 April 2022 - Praktijkprikkel 2022-08: Anaphylaxis in known chlorhexidine allergy Read on…
1st April 2022 - Praktijkprikkel 2022-07: Communication in a foreign language
Read on…
17 March 2022 - Praktijkprikkel 2022-06: Unclear administration instruction Results of the survey published July 2022
3 March 2022 - Praktijkprikkel 2022-05: Nortriptyline overdose due to inadequate first dispensing Read on…
17 February 2022 - Praktijkprikkel 2022-04: Import of medicines that cannot be delivered Read on…
3 February 2022 - Praktijkprikkel 2022-03: Other strength delivered Read on…
19 January 2022 - Praktijkprikkel 2022-02: Problems when instilling Nevanac° 3 mg/ml eye drops. Read on…
6 January 2022 - Praktijkprikkel 2022-01: Inadequate handover after discharge from hospital
20 December 2021 - Praktijkprikkel 2021-25: Difficulties with substitution with gliclazide modified release tablets Read on…
10 December 2021 - Praktijkprikkel 2021-24: Medication from home in the hospital Read on…
26 November 2021 - Praktijkprikkel 2021-23: Wrong drug prescribed Read on…
11 November 2021 - Praktijkprikkel 2021-22: Suicide risk and dispensing larger quantities Read on…
29 October 2021 - Praktijkprikkel 2021-21: Antithrombotics and neuraxis blockage Read on…
14 October 2021 - Praktijkprikkel 2021-20: Substitution of fentanyl lozenges with sublingual tablets Read on...
4 October 2021 - Praktijkprikkel 2021-19: Mix-up amphotericin B Read on…
16 September 2021 - Praktijkprikkel 2021-18: Importance of derived contraindication in medication monitoring Read on...
2 September 2021 - Praktijkprikkel 2021-17: Prescribing medication for the unborn child Read on...
17 August 2021 - Praktijkprikkel 2021-16: Discharge medication around the weekend Results of the survey published March 2022
3 August 2021 - Praktijkprikkel 2021-15: Unclear control over the treatment
21 July 2021 - Praktijkprikkel 2021-14: Hepatitis B vaccine interchangeability
7 July 2021 - Praktijkprikkel 2021-13: Insufficient control of a running infusion
23 June 2021 - Praktijkprikkel 2021-12: Risky to substitute two insulins at the same time by biosimilar preferential products
8 June 2021 - Praktijkprikkel 2021-11: Confusion between drugs containing estradiol/norethisterone 2mg/1mg
25 May 2021 - Praktijkprikkel 2021-10: Confusion between Humalog° and Lyumjev°
12 May 2021 - Praktijkprikkel 2021-09: Dosing incidents with Oramorph°
21 April 2021 - Praktijkprikkel 2021-08: An error often does not stand alone
9 April 2021 - Praktijkprikkel 2021-07: (Near) errors after not performing a double check when preparing medication for administration
24 March 2021 - Praktijkprikkel 2021-06: Crushing high-risk drugs
10 March 2021 - Praktijkprikkel 2021-05: Dual anticoagulation with no expected duration of treatment
24 February 2021 - Praktijkprikkel 2021-04: Contraindication bariatric surgery
10 February 2021 - Praktijkprikkel 2021-03: Incorrect start date of an Individualized Distribution System (GDS)
27 January 2021 - Praktijkprikkel 2021-02: Opioids and laxatives
12 January 2021 - Praktijkprikkel 2021-01: Electronically prescribing nasal sprays. Results of the survey published March 2021
23 December 2020 - Praktijkprikkel 202O-19: Mix-ups between Fraxiparine° and Fraxiparine Forte°
9 December 2020 – Praktijkprikkel 202O-18: Back to the “old” normal practices used before Covid-19 pandemic
25 November 2020 - Praktijkprikkel 202O-17: Confusion in the dosage of nystatin in the patient leaflet
November 2020 - Praktijkprikkel 202O-16: Allergen extracts
28 October 2020 - Praktijkprikkel 202O-15: Imported medicines: mix-up between acenocoumarol 1mg and imported Sintrom° 4 mg tablets
16 October 2020 - Praktijkprikkel 202O-14: Amoxicillin and allergy
17 September 2020 - Praktijkprikkel 202O-13: Unclear dosage of prescribed imipenem / cilastatin
September 2020 - Praktijkprikkel 202O-12: Incorrectly entered height and underdosing of cytostatics
August 2020 - Praktijkprikkel 202O-11: Incidents related to the use of syringe pumps
July 2020 - Praktijkprikkel 202O-10: Feedback of medication change message and the delivery confirmation to the doctor
7 July 2020 - Praktijkprikkel 202O-09: Risk with an individualized administration plan. Results of the survey published July 2020
June 2020 - Praktijkprikkel 202O-08: Risks with repeat service
28 May 2020 - Praktijkprikkel 202O-07: Dealing with prescriptions for non-everyday medicines
7 May 2020 - Praktijkprikkel 202O-06: Barcode final check and change of medication
April 2020 - Praktijkprikkel 202O-05: Partial delivery of high-risk medication due to drug shortages
31 March 2020 - Praktijkprikkel 202O-04: Mix-up between two forms of benzylpenicillin: sodium benzylpenicillin and benzathine benzylpenicillin
20 February 2020 - Praktijkprikkel 202O-03: Dosing advice based on incorrectly entered value
6 February 2020 – Praktijkprikkel 202O-02: Starter packaging of direct oral anticoagulants
20 January 2020 – Praktijkprikkel 202O-01: Discharge discrepancies with automated medication dispensing
Morocco Poison Control and Pharmacovigilance Centre (CAPM)
- Toxicologie Maroc
Periodicity: four to six issues annually
Publication langage: French
No Subscription. Available for free download
Access to Toxicologie Maroc: Read on (in French)...
What's new in the last issue?
- Azithromycin related errors in Covid-19 patients
- Be careful of the risks of using vitamin d in children for Covid-19 prevention - Regular columns in professional journals
Doctinews
Publication langage: French
Access to the "Live from CAPM" column in Doctinews: Read on (in French)...
New Zealand Medication Safety Programme
- Medication Safety Watch
Medication Safety Watch is a bulletin for all health professionals and health care managers working with medicines or patient safety. Medication alerts and safety signals provide information and actions about high-risk medicines and situations. They are issued to health care staff, managers and organisations.
Periodicity: four issues by year
Publication langage: English
No subscription. Available for free download.
Access to Medication Safety Watch: Read on...
What's new in the last issue?
- Reducing the risk of error and patient harm with low-dose oral methotrexate
- What’s new? Update on the safe use of opioids collaborative; Making strong opioids safer for patients
- What to do with patients' own medicine in hospital?
- Incidents and cautions: Sodium citrate or sodium chloride?
- Upcoming alert: a draft alteplase/tenectaplase alert will be sent out in the near future
- Alerts & Patient Safety Signal
The alerts produced by the Commission are recommendations relating to either internationally recognised or locally identified high risk medicines or situations. Alerts are sent out directly to relevant health care providers with the latest information and advice on particular topics of concern.
Periodicity: as needed
Publication langage: English
No Subscription. Available for free download or sent by e-mail to registered users.
Access to Alerts & Patient Safety Signal: Read on...
What's the last Alert or Safety Signal?
20 October 2021 – Medication Alert 19: Baclofen oral liquid Read on…
11 March 2020 -Medication Alert 18: Thrombolysis for acute ischaemic stroke Read on…
26 September 2019 - Transdermal patch alert updated Read on…
13 Mar 2019 - Changes to the labelling of Bicillin LA° Read on...
19 July 2017 - Open Book ALERT: Prescribing error – dabigatran and enoxaparin Read on...
6 July 2017 - Transdermal patches and burns: Commission’s transdermal patch medication Alert 15 published in 2013, updated list of transdermal patches available in New Zealand (June 2017) Read on...
6 July 2017 - Injectable phenytoin incidents – risk of death and severe harm Read on...
12 June 2017 - ALERT 17: Alteplase or tenecteplase? Read on...
24 February 2017 – Pharmacy Council Safety Alert - Caution Required with Compounded Oral Liquid Formulations Read on…
30 September 2015 - Safety Signal: Risk of serious adverse drug reactions Read on...
3 September 2014 - ALERT: Transdermal patches Read on...
5 August 2014 - ALERT: Metoprolol Read on...
NHS England
- Patient Safety Alerts
Patient safety alerts are issued via the Central Alerting System (CAS), a web-based cascading system for issuing alerts, important public health messages and other safety critical information and guidance to the NHS and other organisations, including independent providers of health and social care.
Periodicity: as needed
Publication langage: English
No subscription. Available for free download.
Access to NHS England Patient Safety Alerts: Read on...
What are the last medication safety alerts?
27 June 2023 - Potential risk of underdosing with calcium gluconate in severe hyperkalaemia. Read on…
10 January 2023 - Use of oxygen cylinders where patients do not have access to medical gas pipeline systems Read on…
5 April 2022 - Inadvertent oral administration of potassium permanganate. Read on…
25 August 2021 - Elimination of bottles of liquefied phenol 80% Read on…
14 July 2021 - Inappropriate anticoagulation of patients with a mechanical heart valve. Read on…
14 June 2021 - Letter to women and girls taking sodium valproate. Read on…
6 August 2020 - Risk of death from unintended administration of sodium nitrite Read on…
1st April 2020 - Interruption of high flow nasal oxygen during transfer Read on…
28 November 2019 - Risk of death and severe harm from ingesting superabsorbent polymer gel granules. Read on…
5 November 2019 - Depleted batteries in intraosseous injectors Read on…
9 August 2018 - Resources to support safe and timely management of hyperkalaemia. Read on…
17 April 2018 - Risk of death or severe harm from inadvertent intravenous administration of solid organ perfusion fluids Read on...
9 January 2018 - Risk of death and severe harm from failure to obtain and continue flow from oxygen cylinders Read on... (Updated on 19 June 2018)
9 November 2017 - Confirming removal or flushing of lines and cannulae after procedures Read on...
27 September 2017 - Risk of severe harm and death from infusing total parenteral nutrition too rapidly in babies Read on... (Updated on 6 March 2019) Read on...
11 August 2017: Resources to support safe transition from the Luer connector to NRFit for intrathecal and epidural procedures, and delivery of regional blocks Read on...
5 July 2017 - Risk of death and severe harm from ingestion of superabsorbent polymer gel granules Read on...
6 April 2017 - Supporting the safety of girls and women being treated with valproate Read on...
16 November 2016 - Risk of severe harm and death due to withdrawing insulin from pen devices Read on...
9 November 2016 - Risk of death and severe harm from error with injectable phenytoin Read on...
3 October 2016 - Reducing the risk of oxygen tubing being connected to air flowmeters Read on...
7 September 2016 - Restricted use of open systems for injectable medication Read on...
17 August 2016 - Resources to support the care of patients with acute kidney injury Read on...
20 April 2016 - Patient safety incident reporting and responding to Patient Safety Alerts Read on...
8 February 2016 - Risk of severe harm or death when desmopressin is omitted or delayed in patients with cranial diabetes insipidus Read on...
26 October 2015 - Support to minimise the risk of distress and death from inappropriate doses of naloxone Read on...
18 August 2015 - Addressing antimicrobial resistance through implementation of an antimicrobial stewardship programme Read on...
27 May 2015 - Risk of death or severe harm due to inadvertent injection of skin preparation solution Read on...
1st April 2015 - Managing risks during the transition period to new ISO connectors for medical devices Read on...
19 January 2015 - Harm from using Low Molecular Weight Heparins when contraindicated Read on...
Prescrire
Prescrire provides independent information, by and for healthcare professionals, about drugs and therapeutic and diagnostic strategies. A non-profit organisation, Prescrire is wholly financed by its subscribers, and accepts no advertising or other outside support. Read on...
Prescrire International
Periodicity: 11 times a year
Publication langage: English
On subscription only, offering full access online to the entire database of reviews in English going back to the first issue of Prescrire International in 1992.
Access to Prescrire International: Read on...
From the editors of Prescrire International: "Top Texts of 2022" new sampling of texts selected to introduce to Prescrire International Free Special Edition
What's new in the last issue?
- Practicalities (Editorial) Assessing the benefit-risk balance of a medicine product also involves analyzing its packaging: underestimating practicality is a mistake, because poorly designed packaging can be dangerous for patients and those around them. Read on…
- Evolocumab (Repatha°) in familial hypercholesterolaemia from 10 years of age. Multiple injections for one dose: 140 mg of evolocumab per pre-filled pen but 420 mg every month, or 420 mg every two weeks
- Soft paraffin plus oxygen: risk of burns. Find out about the composition of medicines and other products applied to patients receiving oxygen, looking for the presence of fatty or oily substance, so as to choose a fat-free alternative if necessary
- Annual review of drug packaging: progress is too slow. Prescrire examined the packaging of 190 medicinal products in 2022: a few improvements in terms of convenience, such as ready-to-use forms of injectable drugs, or solid oral forms packaged in precut unit-dose blister packs, but still too many regressions, such as multidose bulk bottles, the discontinuation of pre-diluted solutions, the absence of adapted dosing, etc. Read on…
La revue Prescrire
Periodicity: monthly plus a yearly supplement in French devoted to drug interactions
Publication langage: French
On subscription only, offering full access online to the entire database of reviews going back to the first issue of La revue Prescrire in 1981.
Access to La revue Prescrire: Read on (in French)...
Follow La revue Prescrire on Twitter
What's new in the last issue?
- Nirsevimab (Beyfortus°) and prevention of RSV infections in infants. Beyfortus° is ready-to-use, whereas Synagis° (palivizumab) requires handling before injection. Read on (in French)…
- Zonisamide: as dangerous during pregnancy as topiramate? Caution when considering the use of zonisamide in women who could be or become pregnant
- Ustekinumab (Stelara°): no live vaccine before 6 months of age in infants exposed in utero. Risk of serious infections in infants exposed in utero to an immunosuppressant: caution when considering vaccination with vaccines containing attenuated bacteria or viruses, such as BCG and rotavirus vaccines
- Alimemazine oral solution (Theralene°): dosing syringe graduated in milligrams. Graduations up to 50 mg, whereas the maximum recommended daily dose is 20 mg. Read on (in French)…
- Oxycodone + naloxone: morphine is a better choice for severe pain. Numerous combinations of different dosages and the possibility of taking extended-release oxycodone separately in the event of insufficient relief: complications in pain treatment management leading to errors
- Ranibizumab: the anti-VEGF of choice in AMD. Beware of overfilling in both presentations: a pre-filled syringe designed to inject only the exact volume would be more convenient
- Prescribing cascades: recognizing and overcoming them. In situations where a drug is prescribed to correct a disorder induced by another drug, consider that it may be an adverse reaction: this can help patients avoid further unnecessary prescriptions. Read on (in French)…
- Ingestion of Balsolene° inhalation solution: a review of adverse reactions reported in France. Mostly due to confusion between a bottle of Balsolene° and a bottle of cough syrup, despite the warning "Do not swallow". Read on (in French)…
- Reported to Prevent the Preventable Programme - Burns from wet inhalation. Inhalation of wet steam can lead to burns, most often accidental by scalding or sometimes due to inappropriate handling
- Forum. Taking care - Sting. Miss. Testimonies of difficulties in coping with technical errors and interruptions on the front line
Updated on September 25, 2023