RxToolKit: A Journey of Many
For the 21st anniversary of RxToolKit, Founder Chuck DiTrapano shares the company’s journey from a dream to a reality. In November 2022, RxToolKit celebrated over two decades of medication safety thanks to the many people who helped form it along the way. Preface: Vincent and Rae DiTrapano The journey for RxToolKit began in the late […]
Pharmacy Technicians Are Important
Chuck DiTrapano, RPh, recognizes the integral role pharmacy technicians have, and their contributions toward managing a successful practice. Joanne Adam, CPhT, offers insight about the potential advancements pharmacy technicians can make in the field. There is a common misconception that the pharmacy industry is purely product-driven. As a practicing pharmacist, I can attest that this […]
Making Medication Administration Safer
Eric Cropp, RPh, shares his personal story about a medication error that forever changed his life, how he became a patient safety advocate, and ways we can make medication administration safer for patients and caregivers. What Happened to Emily Jerry There were multiple red flags leading up to Emily Jerry’s last treatment. The first came […]
More Than Just a Pharmacy Technician
The following guest post was written by Joanne Adam, a certified pharmacy technician. We are grateful to Joanne for sharing her story and helping others to understand how important the role of pharmacy technician has become, especially in our nation’s hospitals. The Role of a Pharmacy Technician When I first started out as a pharmacy […]
Pharmacy Technicians: The Invisible Asset
If you have ever had a prescription filled in a pharmacy, received an IV infusion in a hospital, or received a medication in a nursing home, you have received services from a pharmacy technician. Who are these people? How are they trained? The answer to these questions is both complex and inconsistent but can be […]
The Vital Role of Pharmacy Technicians
The following post was written by Chris Jerry of the Emily Jerry Foundation. Chris tragically lost his daughter as a result of a preventable medical error made by a pharmacy technician. We are grateful to Chris for his courage in sharing his story as well as for the work he is doing to bring light […]
In Support of the Second Victim
Eight years after the tragic medication error that led to two-year-old Emily Jerry’s death, Eric Cropp, RPh is still distraught over the events of that day. He currently advocates for patients and caregivers involved in medication errors, and supports second-victim awareness. It has been 8 years since I made the biggest mistake of my life. […]
The Power of the Pen
Chuck DiTrapano, RPh shares a habit that eventually became something more. He tell the story of how a simple “C” written in blue pen came to carry so much power and responsibility. Ever since my very first day on the job as a hospital pharmacist, I have placed a “C” using a blue Sharpie on […]
Medication Errors: “A Pharmacist’s Tale”
JDJ Consulting Founder and President John Karwoski discusses a recent near-miss medication error and the actions he took to rectify the situation. He also provides suggestions for ways to prevent medication errors and near-misses in the future. I was working at the hospital last night and caught a “near-miss.” The physician ordered a 4000 unit […]
In My Own Words: A Fatal Medication Error
In 2006, Eric Cropp, RPh lost his license, career, reputation, and more due to a fatal medication error. In his own words, Eric walks us through the events leading up to the error, the consequences, and what he thinks should be done to prevent similar events. What happened before the error? In February 2006, I […]