High-alert medications are drugs that bear a heightened risk of causing significant patient harm when they are used in error. Although mistakes may or may not be more common with these drugs, the consequences of an error are clearly more devastating to patients.

Undesirable effects to health products. Health products include drugs, medical devices and natural health products. Drugs include both prescription and non-prescription pharmaceuticals; biologically-derived products such as vaccines, serums, and blood derived products; cells, tissues and organs; disinfectants; and radiopharmaceuticals.

A framework for analysis of
relationships that includes an understanding of
the relationships between policies and procedures,
resource allocation and work cultures (adapted
from CPSI, 2009).

An independent double check requires two people to separately check each component of the work process. For example, a pharmacist calculates a dose, prepares a syringe of medication, and compares the product to the order; then, a nurse independently checks the order, calculates the dose, and compares the results with the dispensed product for verification.

A patient safety incident that took place but was captured before reaching the patient.

This system serves as a communication interphase that automatically documents the administration of
medication onto a patient's electronic chart (Leapfrog 2016).

Bolded uppercase letters to help draw attention to the dissimilarities in look-alike drug names.

Any preventable event that may cause or lead to inappropriate medication use or patient harm while the medication is in the control of the health care professional, patient, or consumer.

A medication distribution system that provide computer-controlled storage, dispensing, and tracking of medications.

First when removing medication from dispenser, second when preparing medication, and third before bedside administration.

Medication with drug names that look like in print or sound like other drugs when spoken (WHO, 2007).

A system of electronic scanning that intercept medication errors at the point of administration where the patient's armband is scanned to ensure it is the right patient who is receiving the medication (Leapfrog, 2016).