What is the most appropriate action when you notice signs of possible impairment and dispensing errors by a colleague?

• A. Immediately share your observations with the team leader. Maintain confidentiality where possible; keep a record
• B. Confront the colleague directly in a public area
• C. Ignore the signs to avoid conflict
• D. Wait and see if it improves before raising concerns

Answer: (A)

The main idea is patient safety and properly escalating concerns about potential impairment that could lead to dispensing errors. The appropriate action is to report what you’ve observed to the team leader or the designated reporting channel right away, while keeping details confidential as much as possible and documenting what you saw.

Reporting through the proper channel quickly allows those in charge to assess the situation, provide support or intervention for the colleague if needed, and put safeguards in place to protect patients (such as adding checks or adjusting duties) without exposing sensitive information unnecessarily. Keeping a written record of dates, times, observations, and potential risks helps ensure an accurate, actionable report and supports any follow-up.

Confronting the colleague in a public area is unprofessional and can provoke defensiveness or conflict; it also risks breaching privacy and may not address the underlying safety issue. Ignoring the signs or waiting to see if it improves delays essential action and endangers patients. If there’s a formal incident reporting process, use it as well to ensure consistent handling and support.