ISMP Canada Identifies Themes Associated With Fatal Medication Events in the Home.

fatal medication events in the home Medication safety in the home is an important public health issue. Almost half of all Americans have taken at least one prescription medication in the last month,1 and more than three-quarters have taken an over-the-counter (OTC) medication.2 Almost two-thirds of Americans take at least one medication daily to treat a chronic health problem.3 Most of these medications are taken in the consumer’s home, group home, or other residential or community setting. In these settings, the risk of medication errors is ever present as consumers with variable health literacy4 and unlicensed healthcare personnel undertake the complex processes associated with safe medication management.