NOVEMBER 4, 2020

‘Pandemic Nursing’ Is a Lethal Problem; ISMP Cites ‘Blame and Shame’ Culture

Overworked staff, lax medication handling among risk factors seen

By Gina Shaw

Cross posted with Pharmacy Practice News

Add “pandemic nursing” to the list of COVID-19 threats to medication safety. The practice pressure has led to at least one lethal drug error in a hospital scrambling to cope with a surge in cases, according to a new report from the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP).

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The ISMP’s Medication Safety Alert included details about a nurse working at a hospital where the death occurred. “The nurse works in a busy ICU