Medication Reconciliation
Our Challenge
In a 2000 study by Gurwitz et al., adverse drug events occurred commonly among long-term care residents and more than half (51%) were judged to be preventable. Serious life-threatening and fatal adverse drug events were more likely to be preventable than less severe events. Most errors associated with preventable events occurred at the ordering and monitoring stages.1
Medication reconciliation is important to reduce the risk of medication errors across the health continuum. It’s about empowering health care providers to work together with patients and other caregivers to ensure accurate medication information is documented and communicated consistently between care settings.
Imagine if you could reduce the number of these adverse drug events. With medication reconciliation…you can!
- Gurwitz JH, Field TS, Avorn J et al. Incidence and preventability of adverse drug events in nursing homes. AmJMed 2000;109-87-94
At a Glance
Key Contacts
Dr. Keith White,
Clinical Lead
BC Patient Safety & Quality Council
kwhite@bcpsqc.ca
Mary Lou Lester,
Quality Leader
BC Patient Safety & Quality Council
mllester@bcpsqc.ca
778.755.4605
James L. Watson,
Director, Clinical Innovation
Clinical Consultation and Operational Monitoring Branch
Health Authorities Division/Ministry of Health
james.watson@gov.bc.ca
250.952.2857