High-Alert Medications

Course overview

High-alert medications are drugs that carry a heightened risk of causing significant patient harm when used in error. Although errors involving these medications may be less frequent, the consequences are often severe or fatal. National patient safety data demonstrate that a disproportionate number of serious adverse drug events involve high-alert medications. This course reviews high-alert medication concepts, common medication classes, risk factors, patient safety implications, and strategies to reduce preventable harm.