Safety Self-Assessment

Print

To support a proactive review of safety in the pharmacy environment, each licensed pharmacy must have access to an online safety self-assessment tool. A safety self-assessment is a process used regularly by pharmacy staff to proactively identify potential safety concerns, which may help decrease the number of medication incidents and near misses and identify opportunities for improvement.

This tool supports the entire pharmacy team—not just the manager—in reflecting on their practices and identifying processes that may contribute to patient risk. The safety self-assessment is not a test. The results are intended to help pharmacy teams identify opportunities to improve safety and the quality of care they provide.

CPBC's requirements for safety self-assessments include:

  • Initial completion deadline: Safety self-assessments must be completed before June 1, 2027, for pharmacies operating as of the June 1, 2026 effective date (one year after the transition period ends).
  • Ongoing frequency: After the initial assessment, further assessments must be completed at least once every three years.
  • Appropriate tools: The assessment must be completed using software that is appropriate for the pharmacy's license type.
  • Documentation: Results and actions taken must be documented and maintained as part of the pharmacy's records.

Examples of two safety self-assessment products currently available in Canada:

  • Medication Safety Self-Assessment (MSSA) from ISMP Canada
    • This product may be purchased separately or may be included for pharmacy teams that use ISMP Canada’s CPhIR software for the documentation of practice incidents and close calls.
  • Pharmacy Safety Self-Assessment (PSSA) from ThinkResearch
    • This product may be purchased as a standalone offering or may be included for pharmacy teams using ThinkResearch’s Pharmapod software for the documentation of medication incidents and close calls.

If the pharmacy’s reporting platform does not have an included safety self-assessment tool, the pharmacy must subscribe to one of these standalone safety self-assessment products, or an equivalent software or platform, in addition to the reporting platform.

  Helpful Tip
  • Team meetings can be great places to discuss or complete the safety self-assessment. Most software tools also allow you to complete the safety self-assessment in sections that can be saved and completed in one or more meetings.
All team members should be encouraged to contribute to the safety self-assessment, and risks identified should be addressed through the creation and implementation of action plans.