Medication errors can have serious consequences for patients. In fact, preventable adverse effects from medication errors are still a leading cause of death in the United States. Committing to medication safety is therefore essential to pharmaceutical care. Insight into the common causes and consequences of medication errors are important, so that pharmacists and pharmacy technicians can be better equipped to enhance patient safety and reduce pharmacy liability.

At the conclusion of this continuing education activity, the participant will be able to:

1. Review the pillars of safe medication administration and the definitions of medication errors
2. Describe the common types of medication errors and their potential consequences
3. Identify the roles of various governing bodies and state laws in promoting and ensuring medication safety
4. Discuss the best practices in preventing medication errors

At the conclusion of this continuing education activity, the participant will be able to:

1. Differentiate medication errors and adverse events
2. Describe common causes of medication errors
3. Identify various ways to avoid medication errors in community pharmacy
4. Describe the role of pharmacy technicians in preventing medication errors

AchieveCE is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.

AchieveCE is also accredited by the Florida Board of Pharmacy (provider no. 50-20641). This course is approved by CE Broker, with CE Broker No. 20-867972.

Peter A. Kreckel, RPh is a most unique breed of community pharmacist. He currently serves as the Director of Clinical Services at Nickman’s Drug Store, a five-store chain in southwestern Pennsylvania. Pete has also been recognized as the Pennsylvania Pharmacist Preceptor of the Year in both 2012 and 2019. He also received the National Community Pharmacy Association’s Preceptor of the Year Award in 2014. In 2015, he was honored by his alma mater with the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy’s Distinguished Alumnus Award. He has precepted 65 students from the area’s schools of pharmacy.

This activity was developed by AchieveCE free of any commercial support. Peter Kreckel, RPH,  has no actual or potential conflicts of interest to disclose.

  Level 2. Basic Application of Skills and Concepts