ASHP Recommendations Lead to NQF Recognition of Pharmacists' Role

3/25/2009

Recognition of pharmacists’ leadership role in assuring the safety of the medication use process in hospitals is now one of 34 safe practices championed by the National Quality Forum’s (NQF) 2009 National Voluntary Consensus Standards for Safe Practices for Better Healthcare, thanks to an assertive advocacy effort by ASHP.

Safe Practice 18—Pharmacist Leadership Structures and Systems—recognizes the importance of pharmacy leadership in ensuring the safety of medication use systems throughout health care facilities. ASHP has long advocated for this recognition, which is supported by the Society’s Statement on the Roles and Responsibilities of the Pharmacy Executive. 

The 2009 Safe Practices describe practices that have been demonstrated to be effective in reducing the occurrence of adverse health events. The document includes many activities in which pharmacists play a significant role in improving the safety and quality of patient care, such as medication reconciliation, order read-back and abbreviations, safe adoption of CPOE, and anticoagulation therapy management.

• Recommendation of My Medication List^TM   as an excellent tool for medication reconciliation , 
• Recognition of pharmacists as critical participants in efforts to prevent falls and contrast-media induced renal failure, 
• I ncreased use of pharmacy technicians and technology as mechanisms to improve patient care and also increase time available for pharmacists to provide clinical services, and 
• An expanded definition of formulary systems.

ASHP believes these practices will have an effect on reducing the risk of harm to patients and enhancing the quality of healthcare. The Society intends to use NQF’s endorsement of the vital roles pharmacists should play in its advocacy efforts with government, health care executives, and accrediting bodies such as the Joint Commission.

Click here to read the NQF’s Safe Practices for Better Healthcare—2009 Update