Approved ……

MEDICATION SAFETY COMMITTEE
TERMS OF REFERENCE

Definition and Mandate
The Medication Safety Committee (MSC) is an inter-professional group with the mandate of promoting and advancing a culture of medication safety across our hospitals. The committee is charged with ensuring practice meets relevant legislative and professional requirements and standards with respect to medications in our institution.

Purpose
Quinte Health Care (QHC) is committed to both the enhancement of the quality and safety of patient care and to the creation of an exceptional patient experience. These strategic priorities are central to our mission and vision, and are key to the mandate of the MSC.

The MSC is a forum to discuss medication practice and to foster a culture of patient safety based on evidence and medication experts, such as the Institute of Safe Medication Practice (ISMP).

Accountability
This committee reports to the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and liaises with other hospital committees through our membership. Recommendations from this committee are subject to the approval of Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee. Recommendations that would affect nursing practice are vetted through that committee, and other relevant committees such as the Quality and Patient Safety Committee.

Decision-Making Authority
The MSC Committee has authority to make recommendations to the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and other relevant clinical, professional and governance groups with respect to best practices and best evidence for safe medication administration practices.

Quorum
A quorum is not necessary for decisions/recommendations to go forward providing that there is one co-chair present and representation from both nursing and pharmacy at the meeting, at the discretion of the co-chair.

Functions
1.	To provide leadership within the nursing and pharmacy professions with respect to medication practices, education, research and the inferences for patient safety.

2.	To provide links and liaisons with all disciplines such as medicine in matters related to medication administration practices and patient safety.

3.	To provide a forum for discussion for the implementation of evidence- based medication administration practices.
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4.	To develop, review/make recommendations regarding selected policies, procedures and protocols related to best practices for medication administration.

5.	To review Accreditation Canada’s Medication Management recommendations and promote QHC compliance with these standards.

6.	To identify educational needs and support the initiatives identified through critical incident review.

Co-Chairs
Manager of Drug Distribution and Clinical Risk Specialist

Membership
•	Director, Pharmacy
•	Manager of Drug Distribution
•	Inter Professional Practice, Quality and Risk Management  or designate(s)
•	Pharmacist (3)
•	Pharmacy Technician(s) (2)
•	Clinical Risk Specialist
•	Professional Practice Representative (2)
•	Nurse Representative (3)
•	Manager, Patient Care (1)
•	Clinical Nutrition Representative
•	Information Systems Representative (1)

Ad-hoc Members: 	
•	Cardio Pulmonary and Respiratory Representative 
•	Others, as appropriate

Chairs of the committee and the Terms of Reference will be reviewed annually.

Meetings
Meetings will be held every month except for July and August.