OBJECTIVES: Drug-induced allergic reactions are frequent, unpredictable events of medication usage in the community setting. The lack of homogeneity in their presentation and severity can range from mild, localized discomfort to systemic, life-threatening anaphylaxis which presents a challenge for community pharmacists to manage. The objective of this multi-incident analysis was to identify common themes underlying drug allergy medication incidents, involving patients with documented allergies, and offer recommendations to help prevent future incidents in the community setting.,METHODS: Incidents were extracted from the Community Pharmacy Incident Reporting (CPhIR) Program utilizing the inclusion criteria of “Drug Therapy Problem Documented allergy” for the type of medication incident, and generalized signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis as key words in the narrative description. A total of 273 medication incidents were captured and reviewed in this multi-incident analysis.,RESULTS: The three major themes identified were: (1) missing documentation, (2) computer detection incapacity and (3) alert bypass. Missing documentation involved medication incidents that stemmed from both prescriber and pharmacy-related databases, while computer detection incapacity and alert bypass incidents only involved pharmacy-related dispensing systems. Recommendations primarily focused on the proper usage/maintenance of computer databases and communication strategies with patients. System-based strategies such as various enhancements to existing pharmacy databases, along with other continuous quality improvement programs, provide further solutions to prevent patient harm.,CONCLUSIONS: Drug-induced allergies can be easily screened and documented given the right tools and appropriate resources. Although unpredictable in nature, the presence of an existing drug allergy should prompt healthcare professionals to be mindful and cautious when prescribing and/or dispensing medications.
OBJECTIVES: Drug-induced allergic reactions are frequent, unpredictable events of medication usage in the community setting. The lack of homogeneity in their presentation and severity can range from mild, localized discomfort to systemic, life-threatening anaphylaxis which presents a challenge for community pharmacists to manage. The objective of this multi-incident analysis was to identify common themes underlying drug allergy medication incidents, involving patients with documented allergies, and offer recommendations to help prevent future incidents in the community setting.,METHODS: Incidents were extracted from the Community Pharmacy Incident Reporting (CPhIR) Program utilizing the inclusion criteria of “Drug Therapy Problem Documented allergy” for the type of medication incident, and generalized signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis as key words in the narrative description. A total of 273 medication incidents were captured and reviewed in this multi-incident analysis.,RESULTS: The three major themes identified were: (1) missing documentation, (2) computer detection incapacity and (3) alert bypass. Missing documentation involved medication incidents that stemmed from both prescriber and pharmacy-related databases, while computer detection incapacity and alert bypass incidents only involved pharmacy-related dispensing systems. Recommendations primarily focused on the proper usage/maintenance of computer databases and communication strategies with patients. System-based strategies such as various enhancements to existing pharmacy databases, along with other continuous quality improvement programs, provide further solutions to prevent patient harm.,CONCLUSIONS: Drug-induced allergies can be easily screened and documented given the right tools and appropriate resources. Although unpredictable in nature, the presence of an existing drug allergy should prompt healthcare professionals to be mindful and cautious when prescribing and/or dispensing medications.
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