HYDROmorphone Safety Self-Assessment
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do we need senior administrative staff on our team?
- A senior administrator is useful but not vital at these meetings. Participation in the self-assessment provides senior administrative staff with insight into areas of vulnerability related to the management of HYDROmorphone and other opioids at your institution.
- How many team meetings should we schedule?
- We suggest you schedule one meeting of one to two hours to complete the self-assessment.
- What if an item doesn't apply to the services offered in my institution?
- If an item does not apply to services offered in your institution then an answer of N/A may be appropriate since your institution would not be prone to errors in medication dosing for certain patient populations. This version of the self-assessment includes instructions where this might apply.
- May I make copies of the assessment document?
- You may make as many copies of this document as are required for the team to complete the assessment. You may not modify or alter the content in any way. Furthermore, you may not modify, transmit, post, or use the contents of this document for personal, public, or commercial purposes unless you have obtained written permission from ISMP Canada.
- My organization has a number of sites. Do I need a password for each one?
- If your organization is homogeneous or is managed as a single entity, then it may be appropriate to conduct a single assessment for the entire organization. However, if your sites are relatively autonomous and have different procedures and levels of technology, then separate assessments are probably in order.
- Are there situations where the assessment may not be appropriate for a facility?
- This assessment is designed primarily for acute care hospitals; however many of the components will be applicable to long-term care or palliative settings where HYDROmorphone and other opioids may be used.
- How are individual items scored?
- Each item has a specific weighting. If the characteristic is fully implemented, then the maximum score is achieved.
The scoring is as follows:
A = 0
B = 1
C = 2
D = 3
E = 4
N/A = 1
- How can we use our self-assessment results?
- Your hospital's self-assessment results can be used to identify gaps in practice and support implementation of strategies and practices that will enhance the safe management of HYDROmorphone and other opioids. Completion of this assessment will help to increase awareness of best practices. Repeating this assessment periodically will assist you to track your progress over time.