Patient safety is of paramount importance in health care. Adverse drug-related events constitute a significant proportion of the adverse events experienced by patients who have been admitted to hospital. This health care issue has been the focus of advocacy efforts by organizations such as the Canadian Patient Safety Institute, the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP), the Institute for Safe Medication Practices Canada (ISMP Canada), and the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists (CSHP). In many of the guidelines and standards set by these organizations, pharmacists play an integral leadership role. Under the guidance of former director of pharmacy Brian Tuttle, the pharmacy management team of Halifax's Capital District Health Authority (CDHA) identified the need for a dedicated pharmacist position to promote and advance safe medication practices in the CDHA's facilities (ranging from small community-based facilities to a large quaternary care teaching hospital with more than 500 beds). In April 2007, the full-time position of medication safety pharmacist 'was created.
展开▼
