What is a Medication Incident?

A medication incident is a mistake with medication, or a problem that could cause a mistake with medication. "Medication error" is another name for one kind of medication incident. Medication incidents include obvious things like receiving the wrong medication or dose, but might also include problems like a confusing label that might lead to someone receiving the wrong medication. Medication incidents may involve use of prescription and non-prescription medications, natural health products, imported products and devices or equipment used to administer medications.

Medication incidents can happen in hospitals, nursing homes, doctors' offices, clinics, pharmacies and even at home. Medication incidents can happen when medications are prescribed, dispensed or taken.

For a more detailed definition of a medication incident and related terms, go to the CMIRPS definition page on ISMP Canada.