A hospital pharmacy is implementing ISMP (Institute for Safe Medication Practices) Canada best practices for high-alert medications. Which of the following strategies is NOT considered a primary strategy to reduce risks associated with high-alert medications?

Question: A hospital pharmacy is implementing ISMP (Institute for Safe Medication Practices) Canada best practices for high-alert medications. Which of the following strategies is NOT considered a primary strategy to reduce risks associated with high-alert medications?

Answer options:

• Standardizing ordering, preparation, and administration processes.
• Implementing independent double-checks for all high-alert medication processes.
• Limiting access to high-alert medications to specific areas of the hospital. ✅ Using dose range checking with "soft" alerts in electronic prescribing systems.

Correct answer: Using dose range checking with "soft" alerts in electronic prescribing systems.

Explanation: While dose range checking is a useful safety measure, "soft" alerts can often be overridden or ignored, making them less effective than "hard" stops or mandatory independent double-checks for high-alert medications, which are primary risk reduction strategies recommended by ISMP.