ASHP announces launch of Standardize 4 Safety program

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) today announced the launch of Standardize 4 Safety, an initiative focused on standardizing concentrations for intravenous (IV) and oral liquid medications to prevent medication errors.

The multiphase project is funded through the Federal Drug Administration's (FDA) Safe Use Initiative. The project is intended to reduce medication errors, including IV and oral liquid medications, which harm approximately 1.5 million patients annually.

“Pharmacists play an important role in optimizing medication therapy outcomes and preventing harm to patients from medication errors," ASHP CEO Paul W. Abramowitz said. "Standardize 4 Safety combines the expertise of pharmacists with that of other health care professionals to significantly reduce medication errors and harm. This partnership between the FDA and ASHP is a critical step in the right direction to ensure safe medication use for all patients all of the time.”

The rollout of Standardize 4 Safety includes the first draft of Phase 1. The first phase provides standardized concentrations and dosing for adult continuous infusions and compounded oral liquid medications. Phase II addresses pediatric medications. Phase III standardizes the doses used in IV intermittent medications, patient-controlled analgesia (PCA )pumps, epidurals and oral chemotherapy treatments.

Expert panels will select the appropriate concentrations of medications. ASHP is collaborating with other professional organizations, including the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI), Pediatric Pharmacy Advocacy Group (PPAG) and Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) as well as local, state and national health organizations.