PA HR203

Joint State Government Commission directed to conduct a study on medication errors and issue a report with recommendations for reducing errors and improving patient safety within 18 months of adoption

Study must examine medication errors across multiple healthcare settings including acute care hospitals, rehabilitation centers, senior living centers, long-term care facilities, and pharmacies

Advisory committee of at least 10 members required, including the Secretary of Health, representatives from hospital, medical, pharmacy, and nursing associations, and licensed healthcare professionals

Study scope includes review of other states' policies, current Pennsylvania statutes and regulations, regulatory oversight agencies, and best practices supported by healthcare stakeholders

Resolution cites Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority 2022 data showing 257,000 reports including 247,000 "incidents" and 10,000 "serious events," and notes pharmacists currently must notify prescribing doctors of errors within 24 hours but are not required to report to the Board of Pharmacy