ASHP partners with ISMP to develop Medication Safety Certificate Program

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) has announced a collaboration with the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) for the development of a Medication Safety Certificate Program that will begin in the spring of next year.

The online program, which falls under the category of continuing education, will provide the opportunity for pharmacists, physicians, nurses and other professionals who work in health care to obtain essential skills regarding medication safety in their practice settings with a curriculum that covers fundamental principles of medication use.

“ASHP is pleased to partner with ISMP to develop a program that will serve as a vital tool for improving medication safety for patients,” Paul W. Abramowitz, ASHP CEO, said. “This joint venture with ISMP will help provide pharmacists, physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals with the professional development opportunity to help them ensure that their patients are receiving the best care possible.”

Michael R. Cohen, ISMP president, agreed the collaboration will improve patient safety.

“Offering a medication safety certificate program to an interprofessional audience of health care professionals will help encourage a more safety-minded culture,” Cohen said. “ISMP is pleased to partner with ASHP in this effort to educate frontline clinicians about the system-based causes of errors and how to implement effective error-reduction strategies.”