Consulting Services

Individual practitioners work diligently every day within highly complex medication systems to provide exceptional care to patients, and yet, despite their best efforts, there are times that the human interface with complicated medication systems goes awry, and medication errors occur. Safety-minded organizations impacted by diminishing resources, ever-changing technology, complex therapies, and newly marketed pharmaceutical products, are being challenged to implement high-leverage medication error prevention strategies to reduce the possibility of patient harm. Those organizations see the value of learning as much as they can about their current state of medication use, in order to begin the process of organizational change and process improvement.

ISMP Consulting Services bring decades of safety experience based largely on the interdisciplinary review of thousands of reports to the ISMP Medication Error Reporting Program (MERP) as well as hundreds of visits to healthcare organizations nationwide. With our extensive knowledge and understanding of the system-based causes of medication error, ISMP consulting staff is uniquely positioned to work confidentially and objectively alongside all types of practitioners and organizations seeking to develop and/or maximize their success within current medication safety initiatives.

In addition, ISMP now is certified as a Patient Safety Organization (PSO) by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Because reporting to a PSO confers both privilege and confidentiality to the information reported, ISMP’s PSO status will afford an even higher level of protection when clinicians and organizations report errors or engage in other types of consulting services with the Institute. In addition, ISMP can work with other PSOs to provide expert analysis of error data--click here for more information.

Any level of assistance is available, from a one-day focused review to a comprehensive examination of the entire medication use system. See below for a list of core services. Click here for a printable general fact sheet about ISMP consulting.

Contact us directly to learn more about how the Institute can help your organization achieve its goals for medication safety. You can reach us at 215-947-7797, or click here to receive additional information.

ISMP offers the following consulting services:

One Day Risk Assessment
ISMP safety experts can conduct a customized, one-day review and assessment of your specific medication safety problem or interest area and provide practical recommendations and solutions. Potential areas for one-day assessments (one topic per day) include use of high-alert drugs, high-risk clinical areas, and error reporting and analysis.

Proactive Risk Assessments
Objective onsite medication use evaluations facilitated by interdisciplinary ISMP teams can assist leadership in developing and implementing organizational-specific, high-leverage medication safety improvements.

ISMP Medication Safety Mentorship™
An onsite, interactive program designed to accelerate the ability of designated safety practitioners in a variety of healthcare settings to meet the challenges of medication error prevention.

Practitioner in Residence Program
This rigorous, comprehensive one-week “rotation,” held at ISMP’s office in suburban Philadelphia, PA, is designed to assist all healthcare professionals who have or are currently seeking medication safety oversight for their organization to rapidly advance their safety leadership skills.

ISMP Rural Hospital Medication Safety ConnectionT Resource Kit
This unique kit provides rural and small hospitals with tools to significantly improve medication safety. Includes a comprehensive resource binder and CDs with three teleconferences featuring ISMP expert speakers.

Technology Assessments
ISMP technology experts can work with healthcare organizations to evaluate the error potential of any new or present pharmacy information system, computerized order entry system, bar code point-of-care system, robotics, or infusion devices, and make recommendations for maximizing safe use and for the direction of future technology selection.

Community/Ambulatory and Mail Order Pharmacy
Expert review of medication-use processes and practical recommendations for error prevention and system improvements that can help meet state board of pharmacy requirements for safety.

Root Cause Analysis
Onsite assistance with investigation and analysis following a medication-related event.

Group Collaboratives
The ISMP team can facilitate onsite and offsite support services (workshops, educational programs, and self assessment initiatives) for various sized groups wishing to undertake a medication safety initiative.

Industry
Experienced ISMP consulting staff can perform Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) for device/technology manufacturers looking to reduce the likelihood of error and improve the safety and functionality of their products.

Medication Safety: an International Experience
In response to global demand, ISMP is announcing open registration for its International Experience. This intensive four-week mentorship program, to be held at ISMP’s office in the United States, is designed to meet the unique needs of international healthcare practitioners and organizations wishing to engage in top-level medication safety activities.

International Services
ISMP has provided medication safety education and assistance to organizations all over the world. Capabilities include self-assessments as well as remote access to top safety experts through teleconferences, satellite symposia, and/or web-based meetings.

Other Consulting Services
Call today to speak with members of the ISMP consulting team to learn more about how the Institute can help you or your organization achieve your goals for medication safety. We would be happy to hear from you! Call 215-947-7797; or click here to receive additional information.

Click here if you have general questions about our consulting services.