Key Takeaways:
- Taking a consistent approach to documentation is crucial for continuity of care.
- Evaluating lessons learned from medication errors can help prevent future incidents.
- Pharmacist professional liability insurance is an important risk management tool to help protect your career and license.
Speaking with Jennifer Flynn, CPHRM, Vice President of Risk Management, HPSO identifies risk control strategies for pharmacists to consider. Review
Part 1 for insights on malpractice risk exposures.
What are documentation best practices for pharmacists?
“It’s crucial for pharmacists to take a consistent approach with their documentation because of the clinical impact their patient notes can have on continuity of care,” says Flynn. “This helps ensure good collaboration with other healthcare professionals. Team members should be able to determine vital details from the pharmacist’s notes, such as the patient’s condition, treatment plan, medication regimen, and other key information.”
- Maintain a consistent approach to documentation, such as the Subjective, Objective, Assessment and Plan (SOAP) notes method.
- Ensure patient notes are comprehensive and accurate, including key details such as:
- Patient history
- What the patient is presenting (i.e. their “chief complaint”)
- Objective pharmacist findings
- Complete medication management information, such as dosage, adjusting, discontinuing, or changing prescriptions.
- Know the legal implications of your documentation. If a pharmacist becomes involved in a malpractice allegation, their documentation will serve as evidence in their defense.
- Strong documentation also demonstrates a pharmacist’s credibility and adherence to legal and professional standards.
What are best practices for reporting medication errors?
Medication errors can happen when you least expect them. Having thorough processes in place for reporting medication incidents helps make quality improvements for pharmacists to recognize and address errors in their practice.
- Be aware and observant of what issues can cause a potential injury.
- Ensure your pharmacy has an internal process in place for immediate action when a medication error occurs.
- Implement a process for external reports. Certain medication errors need to be externally reported to regulatory agencies or state pharmacy boards.
- Document key details from the error that could be used for preventative and educational purposes. Questions to consider include:
- Why did the error happen?
- What underlying factors led to the error occurring?
- What improvements can be made to keep the error from happening again?
- Share key findings with pharmacy staff and add them into your training and error prevention efforts.
- Incorporate a non-punitive culture in your pharmacy to foster open communication and transparency.
How can pharmacists help patients understand their medication?
“Ensuring patients understand their medication is extremely important to help improve patient outcomes and for pharmacists to build a rapport with their patients,” notes Flynn. “Your patients are counting on you as a trusted advisor for questions they may have regarding medication."
- Use clear language and speak to your patients at a level they can understand.
- Discuss key details of the medication, including possible side effects and the importance of sticking to the regimen.
- Be aware of potential patient barriers, such as financial issues, language, or lack of technical or medical knowledge.
- Consider the teach-back method, where you explain the medication and then ask your patient to repeat their understanding back to you.
- Address patient concerns and provide the opportunity for them to ask questions confidentially.
- Maintain an open line of communication for patients to contact you with follow-up questions or emerging symptoms.
How can pharmacists stay updated on pharmacy practice standards and regulations?
Ensuring your pharmacy practice is compliant with evolving standards and regulations is highly important.
- Routinely review federal laws, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) standards, as well as specific standards for your state.
- Refer to your state pharmacy board for evolving legal practice requirements, industry trends, educational resources, and other tools.
- Review medical literature and industry publications focused on pharmacy practice.
- Network with fellow pharmacists at conferences and events.
- Consider joining an association, such as the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), for networking and professional development opportunities.
- Attend accredited courses, webinars, and other Continuing Education (CE) events to help make sure your license remains compliant.
What factors should pharmacists consider when searching for professional liability insurance?
Securing your own professional liability insurance (also known as malpractice insurance) is an important consideration for pharmacists to help protect your career, license, and finances.
Individual malpractice insurance puts your needs first and covers you 24/7. Be sure to conduct due diligence when shopping around for coverage. Here are important factors to consider:
- If the policy includes Licensure Defense (Employer policies may not include it. An employer could file a complaint against an individual provider’s license.)
- Policy limits of $1 million per occurrence / $3 million annual aggregate (data suggests these industry standards are adequate for the average pharmacist claim totals.)
- A.M. Best rating (an industry-recognized leading provider of independent ratings based on an insurance company’s ability to pay claims, debts, and other financial obligations.)
- Customer reviews and testimonials.
- Provider benefits beyond coverage, such as risk education content, association partners, and savings opportunities.
“Getting your own professional liability policy is a personal decision,” notes Flynn. It is key to consider your individual needs to help determine what coverage may suit your lifestyle.
HPSO is a leading provider of
pharmacist professional liability insurance. Our 24/7 coverage includes Professional Liability, Licensure Defense, Subpoena Assistance Costs, and much more. We are proudly endorsed by American Pharmacists Association (APhA) and insure over 70,000 pharmacists and pharmacy practices.
Ready to join them? Get a free quote in less than 5 minutes!
FAQs:
What are real-world examples of pharmacist malpractice claims?
Don’t miss these
real case studies involving pharmacists insured through HPSO. Catch up on details of the case, the financial outcome, and key risk management recommendations.
- Case study: Insured pharmacy business owner sued for wrong dose resulting from improper supervision of a pharmacy technician. Total incurred: $280,000
- Case study: Insured pharmacist accused of repeatedly dispensing wrong drug over nine-month period, leading to patient hospital admission. Total incurred: $400,000
Explore HPSO’s
risk resource library for more pharmacist case studies, claims data, articles, webinars, CE, and other insightful content.
What are other important insights to know about pharmacy malpractice claims?
Read the complete
Pharmacist Professional Liability Exposure Claim Report (3rd Edition) for a deep dive into malpractice trends, statistics, case studies, analysis, and more. Also check out our topical Risk Control Spotlights on:
These are insightful resources you won’t want to miss!