ISMP develops self-assessment tool for long-term care
Tuesday November 6, 2007
A self-assessment tool designed to help professionals in the long-term care setting achieve safe medication practices is now available online.

Developed by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices Canada (ISMP Canada), the Medication Safety Self-Assessment (MSSA) is intended to heighten awareness of the distinguishing characteristics of a safe medication system, act as a quality improvement tool and create a base-line of a facility’s efforts to enhance safe medication use over time.

The MSSA in long-term care was adapted from another MSSA tool developed by ISMP Canada for complex continuing care and rehabilitation facilities by a working group made up of practitioners from a number of long-term care settings.

The working group included staff nurses, nurse managers, pharmacists, risk management staff and quality practitioners who reviewed each self-assessment item for relevance to long-term care.

ISMP Canada also reviewed the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Facilities Program Standards and Criteria, the Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation Program for Long Term Care and best practice expectations and medication error reports submitted to ISMP Canada.

Prior to its official launch, MSSA was pilot tested by 26 long-term care facilities. The tool was modified based on those experiences.

For more information on MSSA, visit www.ismp-canada.org.

ISMP Canada has a collaborative partnership with the Healthcare Insurance Reciprocal of Canada (HIROC), which supports ISMP Canada through the provision of office facilities and administration.