Final answer:
In addition to a CQI committee, a pharmacy's CQI policy/procedure manual should include methods for identifying and documenting errors, protocols for investigating QREs, corrective action procedures, and tracking the effectiveness of changes. Balancing the cost of care, patient quality of life, and privacy protection are also key considerations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Components of a Pharmacy's CQI Policy/Procedure Manual
Aside from a Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) committee reviewing Quality Related Events (QREs) quarterly, a pharmacy's CQI policy/procedure manual should include several other components. These components ensure comprehensive quality management and patient safety. One key aspect is a method for identifying and documenting errors and near-misses that occur within the pharmacy operations. This could include, but is not limited to, nurse reviews of procedures, ensuring instrument counts are correct, proper labeling of specimens, and addressing any equipment issues. Another essential component is a protocol for investigating the identified QREs to determine the cause and any contributing factors.
Furthermore, the manual should outline procedures for taking corrective action to prevent future occurrences of similar errors. This may involve changes to workflow processes, staff training, or equipment replacement. An additional aspect of a strong CQI policy is tracking the effectiveness of implemented changes over time to ensure continuous improvement.
When considering the creation of such policies, particularly where health records are concerned, privacy and quality of care are pivotal. It is crucial to address certain questions:
- How can the policy balance the cost of treatments and diagnoses with maintaining patient quality of life?
- What steps does the policy take to ensure the privacy of individual health records?
- How does the policy mitigate the risks that any changes could pose to patient confidentiality?