OBJECTIVES

: Correct and smart use of drugs can have a significant impact on health promotion. However, medication errors are common and can lead to financial costs and human suffering while they are almost preventable. It is essential to note that the use of drugs for treating diseases is not always a safe practice.

METHODS

: In this study, 10 hospitals were selected for the implementation of medication safety standards. A checklist of medication safety standards was prepared and the selected hospitals were assessed for medication safety for every specialty in terms of look alike and sound alike drugs, high-risk medications, medication reconciliation, medication errors, safe injection, and life saving drugs. Afterwards, a guideline was prepared for each specialty which covered details the mentioned issues; the guideline, which was aimed to show how to implement the standards, were sent to the selected hospitals. After being approved by drugs and treatment committees,seven hospitals implemented medication safety standards and reported outcomes

RESULTS

: Comparing the initial and final status of hospitals in terms of the implementation of medication safety standards, it seems that on average hospitals improved their status from 42.5% to 87.5%.

CONCLUSIONS

: High-risk drugs are more hazardous for patients with chronic diseases who are exposed to poly-therapy; hence, the list of high-risk medications should be prioritized. It is suggested that the general lists and guidelines will be announced by the Ministry of Health. Moreover, medical universities should be ranked and specific lists-based type of specialty and the amount of drug used – to be extracted by the Drug and Treatment Committee of each hospital.Another way to reduce the risks of high-risk medications is to use medication reconciliation forms which must be completed carefully while transferring the patients between different wards.To increase medication safety, in some cases such as reducing medication errors, motivational strategies can be used