PDL is pleased to share the release of a new resource titled the “PDL Risk Management Guide for Pharmacists”, developed to support pharmacists in identifying and addressing risk in common areas of practice.
PDL considers this document a valuable tool for risk management, supporting the induction of pharmacists and pharmacy staff across the spectrum of practice, and assisting those in leadership, governance and ownership roles.
PDL Chair, Paul Naismith, expressed that there was an opportunity to support pharmacists in recognising risk. “We acknowledge the availability and role of formally recognised standards, guidelines and resources that address professional practice and aspects of good clinical governance.
“However, PDL believes there was an opportunity to improve pharmacists’ understanding of risk management, identification of risk in practice, the assessment of risk and strategies to manage risk for the benefit of the public and pharmacists.”
This document is not only suitable for minimising risk in practice but can also be referred to by pharmacists following a near miss or incident to support reflective practice change.
The Guide is organised into four modules, which can be read in sequence or accessed individually, depending on a pharmacist’s individual needs. Those modules are ‘Understanding risk in pharmacy practice’, ‘Applying risk principles in practice’, ‘Managing incidents’ and ‘Managing high-risk areas’. Each one is accredited for CPD suitable for inclusion in an individual pharmacist’s CPD plan. Pharmacists are offered an opportunity for further Group 3 CPD credits if they choose to follow a defined list of actions that ultimately facilitate quality or practice improvement.
Many of PDL’s existing resources and insights from member calls and incidents are included. PDL has attempted to provide broad guidance as a starting point for greater risk awareness in the profession.
The PDL Risk Management Guide for Pharmacists is a publicly available document for all pharmacists to access.
