Standardize 4 Safety

ASHP received funding from the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Safe Use Initiative to develop and implement national standardized concentrations for intravenous (IV) and oral liquid medications.

Standardize 4 Safety is the first national, interprofessional effort to standardize medication concentrations to reduce errors, especially during transitions of care. It establishes standardized concentrations for intravenous and oral liquid medications for patients of all ages in settings ranging from hospital to home.

In collaboration with pharmacist, nurse, and physician experts from across the care continuum, ASHP has created several standardized concentration lists. Hospitals and health systems are encouraged to adopt these standardized concentration lists to improve patient safety and decrease medication errors. Additional lists are coming soon. Register to receive Standardize 4 Safety Updates from ASHP.

Value of Standardization

Despite longtime interest from patient safety advocates, there is no national consensus for standardized concentrations of IV medications and oral liquid medications. Without standardized doses, medication errors may occur, particularly when patients transition from one care setting to another.

Standardization has many benefits, including increased patient safety and decreased health care costs, which ultimately improve patient outcomes.

Additional benefits of medication standardization include:

• Consistent medication concentrations for patients during transitions of care reduces the potential for errors
• Simplified ordering and fewer choices, which decrease provider uncertainty
• Accelerated manufacturing streamlines production and allows for the formulation of premixed medications
• Reduces operational variations, which enhances provider efficiency