Behind-the-scenes look at Johns Hopkins outpatient pharmacy showing the ten-step process every prescription goes through to ensure accuracy and patient safety. Demonstrates checks and safeguards from initial prescription review through pharmacist check to final patient hand-off. Emphasizes culture of safety and quality assurance in pharmacy operations.

Reviews high-alert medications – drugs that carry heightened risk of causing significant patient harm if used in error. Identifies common high-risk drugs (insulin, anticoagulants, opioids, etc.) and discusses why they’re high-alert. Covers the pharmacy technician’s role in handling these medications safely, including double-checking processes, special storage/labeling, and protocols to prevent medication errors.

Explains what “Look-Alike Sound-Alike” (LASA) medications are and why they pose a safety risk. Highlights examples of drug name pairs that look or sound similar which can lead to confusion. Underscores importance of vigilance, storing LASA drugs separately, and using tall-man lettering and other strategies to prevent mix-ups, thereby improving medication safety.