What must a pharmacist do if they encounter a medication error in Delaware?

In Delaware, when a pharmacist encounters a medication error, it is necessary to report the error to the Delaware Board of Pharmacy. This requirement is in place to enhance patient safety and improve practices within the pharmacy profession. Reporting medication errors allows regulatory bodies to collect data, identify trends, and implement measures to prevent similar errors in the future.

Documentation is also important as it helps track errors and can be useful during an investigation or review. However, merely informing the patient, correcting the error without communication, or ignoring it entirely—especially if it does not cause apparent harm—do not fulfill the crucial obligation of reporting such incidents to the Board. Engaging with regulatory authorities contributes to a culture of safety and accountability in healthcare, emphasizing the importance of transparency in managing medication errors.