AHA supports ISMP safety guidelines for electronic communication of medication information

The AHA today voiced support for the Institute for Safe Medication Practices’ draft guidelines for safe electronic communication of medication information. “Given the increased reliance on [Electronic Health Records] in the delivery of health care, and the critical importance of medication safety, the AHA supports the adoption of guidelines for safe electronic communication of medication information, as developed by ISMP,” wrote Ashley Thompson, AHA vice president and acting senior executive of policy. “We also support the ISMP’s goal to share the final guidelines with the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology to advance the recognition of the guidelines in the standards and implementation specifications used in EHRs.”