Download High Alert Medications Frequently Asked

High Alert Medications
Frequently Asked Questions
for Pharmacy Staff
1. What are high alert medications?
High alert medications, also known as HAMs, are drugs that a bear heightened
risk of causing significant harm to patients when they are used incorrectly. The
Institute of Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) states that although mistakes may
not be more common in the use of these medications, when errors do occur, the
impact on the patient is significant. Covenant Health has developed a HAM list
adopted from the ISMP high alert medications list.
2. What is the purpose of the High Alert Medication Policy Suite?
Covenant Health is committed to patient safety. The policy suite will provide a
standard approach to the management of high alert medications in order to
prevent harm to patients/residents from adverse events involving high alert
medications and to align with Accreditation Canada Required Organization
Practices (ROPs). The policy suite will also allow us to align with other safetyoriented standards with regards to high alert medications.
3. Why are there only 3 classes of medications outlines in the policy suite?
Concentrated electrolytes, heparins, and high potency narcotics have been
highlighted by Accreditation Canada as high priority in separate ROP’s. The
purpose is to ensure that formats within these classes with potential to cause
patient harm are not stocked in any patient care areas. The ROPs were specific to
these 3 high alert medication categories. Managing of High Alert Medications –
Heparin, Concentrated Electrolytes, and High Potency Narcotics were all
developed separately to make it easy and clear for staff to access.
However, there is a comprehensive list of high alert medications, apart from these
3 classes outlined in the Policy that require HAM labelling. Please see appendix A
in the HAM Policy @ http://www.compassionnet.ca/Policies/VII-A-30.pdf
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Covenant Health MMT Oct 2014
High Alert Medications
Frequently Asked Questions
for Pharmacy Staff
4. How do I know if a medication is a high alert medication?
If you are not sure if a particular medication is a high alert medication, you can
access or refer to the High Alert Medications List-Poster on CompassionNet under
and/or the High Alert Medications Alphabetized List: Care & Safety > Medication
Management Initiatives > High Alert Medications
5. How do I figure out how to store and label a high alert medication?
Refer to the High Alert Medication Storage and Labeling guideline document on
SharePoint. This document includes a labelling chart as well as specific storage
requirements for a high alert medication. This is a comprehensive document that you
should be familiar with.
6. How were the design labels chosen?
Human Factors were involved in designing and the specific placement of
high alert medication icon and the auxiliary labels for high alert
medications. This is to ensure optimal messaging and visual impact.
7. Are all IV potassium chloride bags high alert?
No, only concentrated forms of the injectable potassium chloride (greater than or
equal to 2mmol/mL) and the small volume IV bags (10, 20, 40 mmol/50 mL and
100 mL bags) are high alert. The large volume IV bags (e.g. 1 L sizes) are not
high alert.
8. Are all injectable lidocaine products high alert?
No, only IV lidocaine used for the treatment of arrhythmias are high alert.
Lidocaine products used for local anesthesia are not high alert.
9. Who is responsible for the labeling and storage of HAMs?
Pharmacy Departments are responsible for the proper labeling and
storage of HAMs in the Pharmacy and on Patient Care areas where
HAMs are available.
Covenant Health Unit Managers are responsible to alert Pharmacy of
any HAM labeling and storage maintenance requirements.
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Covenant Health MMT Oct 2014
High Alert Medications
Frequently Asked Questions
for Pharmacy Staff
10. What are the audit requirements and who is responsible for conducting this
audits?
Audits are required for every care area that has high-alert medications available as
wardstock. Care areas must audit that the type and quantity of high-alert
medications available as wardstock and ensure that the storage and labelling
requirements are met.
In addition, audits on the proper storage and labelling of HAM will be carried out
annually. This will ensure that the HAM storage and labelling recommendations
are being met. Pharmacy Departments, Unit Mangers as well the Medication
Management team will be involved in carrying out the audits.
11. Where do I find more information?
The High Alert Medication Policy as well as the, The Management of High Alert
Medications Policy suite is available on CompassionNet under: Corporate Policies
and Procedures > Medication > High Alert Medications
Supporting resources for education on CompassionNet under:
Care & Safety > Medication Management Initiatives > High Alert Medications
12. Who can I contact for more information on high alert medications and the
management of high alert medications?
Please contact the Medication Management Safety team at:
[email protected]
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