*TS:  Tracer Methodology 101: Medication Management in Hospital Psychiatric Units (PDF/QV) [REF: MD, Phrm/P&T, RN] The Source, June 2015, Vol 13, #6, Pg 4 JCs1506_B2

The focus of this tracer involves movement from a general hospital’s Emergency Department (ED) into its psychiatric unit.  However, one can substitute Admission Unit (which many of our free standing psychiatric hospitals have) for Emergency Department to optimize its relevance and value.  The article identifies several common survey citation issues to include:
• Transitions of care (e.g., movement from admitting to ongoing treatment unit or discharge to the community) – think medication reconciliation
• Medication storage  – Until last year MM.03.01.01 was a Top Ten TJC finding
• Administration – a common source of medication errors
• Assessment – of your medication management system
Tip: Consider utilizing the Mock Tracer Tracking Worksheet on page 6 in your own practice tracers and incorporate some of the 8 suggested questions.