Key Terms
Pharmacist Recovery Network (PRN)
An organization providing assistance and treatment for impaired colleagues without risking loss of license or registration.
Physical dependence
Taking a drug continuously so that physical withdrawal symptoms occur when it is stopped.
Psychological dependence
When a patient takes a drug regularly because it produces a sense of well-being and they do not want to live without it.
REACT
An acronym describing what to do in case of a robbery.
Right of refusal
The ability of a pharmacist to decline filling prescriptions when cause exists, especially for controlled substances.
REMS (Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy)
A program designed by the FDA requiring prescribers, pharmacies, and patients to closely monitor selected high-risk drugs.
Root-cause analysis
A logical and systematic process used to identify how, why, and which events led to errors to prevent recurrence.
Rushed error
Occurs due to corporate self-imposed time constraints resulting in double-checking information by technician and pharmacist.
Selection error
Occurs when two or more options exist and the incorrect option is chosen.
SPEAK UP
An acronym promoted by the Joint Commission and CMS to promote patient safety.
Tall man lettering
Enhanced lettering on stock labels or in computer systems that helps differentiate products and dosage forms to reduce errors.
Technical failure
An error generated by failure of equipment.
Wrong amount error
Occurs when a dose is either above or below the correct amount by more than 5%.
VAERS (Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System)
A postmarketing surveillance system operated by the FDA and CDC to report adverse events after immunization.
VERP (Vaccine Error Reporting Program)
A program allowing healthcare professionals to report vaccine errors directly to ISMP.