When a medication error occurs, what is the immediate action a DSP must take?

When a medication error occurs, the immediate action a Direct Support Professional (DSP) must take is to report the error to the regional center as a special incident. This is crucial because reporting the error ensures that appropriate measures can be taken to address any potential harm to the individual and to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. It is part of the DSP's responsibility to follow established protocols for safety and communication within the care team.

Moreover, notifying the regional center allows for the necessary personnel to be informed, so they can assess the situation and coordinate follow-up actions. This ensures that the individual's health and safety are prioritized and that any required medical interventions are initiated promptly.

Other options, while they may be necessary steps to take at some point, do not address the urgency and priority of reporting a medication error to the appropriate authorities. For example, involving the family or consulting a pharmacist can be important after immediate reporting has occurred, and documenting the error at the end of the day does not comply with the need for prompt action in the case of medication errors. Immediate reporting is critical to ensure all parties involved are informed and can respond appropriately.