Long-term care facilities must ensure they are free from significant medication errors and maintain what percentage error rate?

Long-term care facilities are required to maintain a medication error rate of no more than 5% to ensure patient safety and the effective management of medications. This regulation is critical because medication errors can have serious consequences for residents, many of whom may have complex health conditions that require careful medication management. By adhering to this standard, facilities can minimize the risk of adverse effects related to improper medication administration, thereby improving overall patient care.

A 5% error rate is considered a benchmark that allows for some tolerance in daily operations while still prioritizing safety and accuracy. It reflects the expectation that facilities should implement robust systems, such as regular medication reviews and staff training, to monitor and reduce the risk of errors effectively. Achieving and maintaining this threshold helps to safeguard the health and well-being of patients in long-term care settings.