Medication Safety Self-Assessment® (MSSA)

The Medication Safety Self-Assessment® is designed to:

• Heighten awareness of the distinguishing characteristics of a safe medication system;
• Act as a quality improvement tool; and
• Create a baseline for efforts to enhance the safety of medication use and evaluate these efforts over time.

The self-assessment is divided into 10 key elements that most significantly influence safe medication use. Each key element is defined by one or more core distinguishing characteristics of a safe medication system. Representative self-assessment items are provided to help you evaluate your success with each of the core distinguishing characteristics.

The Medication Safety Self-Assessment® (MSSA) and its components are copyrighted by ISMP and may not be used in whole or in part for any other purpose or by any other entity except for self-assessment of medication systems by users as part of their ongoing quality improvement activities.

There are versions of this tool for the different types of medication system settings. Please click on one of the links below to access the proper tool for your organization:

• 2012 ISMP International Medication Safety Self Assessment® for Oncology
• Medication Safety Self-Assessment for Long-Term Care
• Medication Safety Self-Assessment for Community Pharmacy - Comprehensive Canadian Version II
• Medication Safety Self-Assessment: Focus on "Never Events" in Hospitals and Ambulatory Care Centers
• Medication Safety Self-Assessment : Focus on "Never Events" in Long-Term Care
• Epidural Label Safety Checklist
• Home and Community Care Personal Support Worker Organizations Medication Safety Self-Assessment
• Home Care Organizations Medication Safety Self-Assessment
• Hospital Medication Safety Self-Assessment
• Hospital Self-Assessment for Anticoagulant Safety
• HYDROmorphone Safety Self-Assessment
• Medication Safety Self-Assessment for Paramedic Organizations