by How to Follow Professional Society Safety Updates on Medications
14 Nov, 2025Every year, thousands of preventable medication errors happen because someone missed a critical safety update. It’s not because they didn’t care-it’s because they didn’t know where to look, or they were overwhelmed by too many sources. You don’t need to check every website, subscribe to every newsletter, or attend every webinar. You just need a smart, simple system to stay current on what matters most.
Know Which Organizations Actually Matter
Not all safety updates are created equal. Some come from groups that track real errors. Others are broad policy statements with little practical use. Stick to the ones backed by data, not just good intentions.- ISMP (Institute for Safe Medication Practices) - Now part of ECRI, ISMP is the gold standard. They collect over 2,800 medication error reports each year from hospitals and pharmacies. Their weekly Medication Safety Alert! newsletter highlights real incidents, what went wrong, and how to fix it. This isn’t theory-it’s what happened yesterday.
- FDA (Food and Drug Administration) - The FDA issues drug safety communications when a medication’s risks change. These are official and legally binding. In 2023 alone, they issued 47 alerts. But here’s the catch: they often come after harm has already occurred. Use them to confirm what you’re hearing elsewhere.
- ASHP (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists) - ASHP gives you practical tools: checklists, self-assessments, and implementation guides. Their free resources are solid. Their paid content (around $99/year) includes continuing education credits and deeper protocols. Great if you’re in a hospital setting.
- AORN (Association of periOperative Registered Nurses) - If you work in surgery, this is your go-to. Their 2023 update added new rules on tech use in ORs and who’s responsible for double-checking high-risk drugs. But if you’re not in surgery? Skip it.
- WHO (World Health Organization) - WHO’s Medication Without Harm campaign is important globally, but it’s not a daily resource. It’s a framework for countries, not a checklist for your shift. Use it to understand the big picture, not to guide your next prescription.
Set Up Your Subscription System (No Overload)
You can’t read everything. And you shouldn’t try. The goal isn’t to consume more information-it’s to act on the right stuff. Start with this three-tier system:- Weekly: ISMP Medication Safety Alert! - Subscribe to the free version if you’re a solo practitioner. If you’re in a hospital, your institution likely already pays for it. Read the headlines. If something sounds relevant-like a new warning about insulin or anticoagulants-dig deeper.
- Monthly: FDA Drug Safety Communications - Sign up for email alerts at fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability. Set a calendar reminder to check once a month. Most alerts are low-risk, but a few change how you prescribe. Don’t ignore them.
- Quarterly: ASHP or AORN Updates - If you’re in a hospital, your pharmacy or nursing team should be tracking these. If you’re independent, check ASHP’s free resources every three months. Look for new best practices, not just new documents.
Turn Alerts Into Action-Not Just Reading
Reading an alert is not enough. You need to change something. Here’s how to make updates stick:- Use the ISMP Targeted Best Practices - Every two years, ISMP releases a list of 10-15 high-impact safety practices. The 2024-2025 version includes new rules for AI-assisted prescribing and compounding pharmacy checks. Pick one. Implement it. Track if it reduces errors.
- Adopt the “One Change” Rule - After reading an alert, ask: “What’s one thing I can change tomorrow?” Maybe it’s removing a dangerous abbreviation from your e-prescribing template. Maybe it’s adding a second check before giving high-alert insulin. Do it. Don’t wait for a committee.
- Share with your team - If you’re a pharmacist, show your nurses. If you’re a doctor, show your PA. Print the key point. Stick it on the med cart. Say it in huddle. Safety isn’t a solo job.
Watch Out for These Pitfalls
Even the best systems fail if you’re not careful.- Information overload - 37% of providers say they get too many alerts. That’s why you need to filter. If you’re getting 10+ emails a week, you’re doing it wrong. Unsubscribe. Delegate. Focus.
- Assuming the FDA is enough - The FDA’s median alert delay is 47 days after an incident. That’s too late to prevent harm. Use them to confirm, not to lead.
- Waiting for training - Don’t wait for your hospital to schedule a workshop. If ISMP says to stop using “U” for units, change it now. Don’t ask permission.
- Ignoring your own errors - If you made a mistake, report it. ISMP’s MERP program is anonymous and confidential. Reporting helps others. Not reporting lets the same error happen again.
What’s Changing in 2025
The landscape is shifting fast.- AORN is moving to quarterly micro-updates - Instead of big revisions every two years, they’ll release small, frequent changes. That means you’ll need to check their site more often if you’re in surgery.
- ISMP is integrating with EHRs - Epic and Cerner are building ISMP best practices directly into their systems. By late 2025, you might get pop-up warnings when you try to prescribe a dangerous combo. This will cut down on human error.
- WHO and FDA are teaming up - A new pilot project will link real-time EHR alerts from U.S. hospitals to WHO’s global safety database. This could help spot international drug safety trends faster.
What You Need to Do Right Now
If you’re reading this and thinking, “I don’t have time,” here’s your 10-minute plan:- Go to ismp.org and sign up for the free Medication Safety Alert! newsletter.
- Go to fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability and click “Subscribe to Email Alerts.”
- Open your EHR. Look for any abbreviations like “U” for units, “QD” for daily, or “cc” for cubic centimeters. Delete them. Replace them with “units,” “daily,” and “mL.”
- Tell one colleague: “I’m starting to act on safety alerts. Want to check one together next week?”
Medication safety isn’t about knowing everything. It’s about doing the right thing, consistently, before someone gets hurt.
How often do professional societies update medication safety guidelines?
ISMP releases its Medication Safety Alert! newsletter weekly and updates its Targeted Medication Safety Best Practices every two years. AORN revises its guidelines every two years but is moving to quarterly micro-updates starting in 2024. ASHP updates its free resources as needed, with major revisions every 1-2 years. The FDA issues alerts as new safety data becomes available-47 in 2023 alone. WHO provides ongoing strategic guidance but doesn’t issue frequent operational updates.
Do I need to pay for these updates?
No, you don’t need to pay to stay safe. ISMP’s Medication Safety Alert! is free for individuals. The FDA’s alerts are free. ASHP offers free basic access to guidelines and tools. You only pay if you want premium features like continuing education credits or institutional access. Most critical safety information is available at no cost.
What if my hospital doesn’t subscribe to ISMP or ASHP?
You can still act. Subscribe to the free ISMP newsletter and FDA alerts yourself. Print out key recommendations and share them with your team. Many hospitals use ISMP’s public best practices without a paid subscription. If you’re in a leadership role, advocate for institutional access-it’s a low-cost way to reduce errors and liability.
Are these updates only for pharmacists and nurses?
No. While pharmacists and nurses are often the first to see these alerts, prescribers-including physicians, PAs, and NPs-play a critical role. A 2023 study showed that 62% of medication errors start with a prescribing decision. If you write the prescription, you need to know the risks. Safety is everyone’s job.
Can I rely on drug company safety notices?
No. Drug manufacturers are required to report safety data to the FDA, but their own notices are often delayed, vague, or framed to minimize liability. Always cross-check with ISMP, FDA, or ASHP. They’re independent and focused on patient safety-not marketing.
How do I know if an update is relevant to my practice?
Focus on high-alert medications: insulin, anticoagulants, opioids, chemotherapy, and IV potassium. If an alert mentions one of these, it’s likely relevant. Also check if it applies to your setting-hospital, clinic, home care. If it’s about surgical meds and you work in primary care, skip it. Don’t waste time on noise.
What’s the biggest mistake providers make with safety updates?
They read them but never act. A 2023 survey found that 72% of providers read safety alerts, but only 28% made any change to their practice. Reading is easy. Acting is hard. But only action prevents harm.
Next Steps If You’re Ready to Improve
If you’re serious about safety, do this:- Print the latest ISMP Targeted Best Practices and post it where your team sees it daily.
- Set a monthly calendar reminder to review FDA alerts.
- Ask your pharmacy or nursing leader: “What’s one safety change we can make this quarter?”
- Report your own near-misses-even if you think it’s small. It might save someone else’s life.