When contracts transition and new products are awarded, the ability for frontline healthcare workers to quickly recognize changes in dosing or administration requirements is critical. 

“Lack of awareness of a change or lack of clarity around what has changed can have serious consequences ranging from near misses to medication errors,” says Sylvia Hyland, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) Canada.

HealthPRO helps members mitigate these risks through its Post Award Assessment Service (PAAS), which facilitates the quick identification of key differences between a new pharmaceutical product on contract and the previous version. 

Through the online HealthPROCONNECT Portal, members have the opportunity to download and customize Medication Change Memos, complete with side-by-side product photographs, which can in turn be distributed to frontline staff as education tools, helping to facilitate contract change communications prior to transitioning to the new contracted brand.

This service is a vital step in HealthPRO’s contracting process, as well as an essential tool during drug shortages when hospitals must switch to an alternate supplier/medication. 

“By identifying all significant changes for the pharmacy and nursing staff, we help enable quick recognition of the new product, as well as the need for any modifications in storage or preparation, which can prevent medication errors and improve patient care,” says Nancy Giovinazzo, Senior Clinical Director, Pharmacy.   

For more information please contact:

Nancy Giovinazzo
Senior Clinical Director, Pharmacy
ngiovinazzo@healthprocanada.com