When you go to visit your doctor, it is common for you to leave
the office with a prescription that s/he has given you to help you
with your medical problem. Did you know that you have a very
important part to play in making sure that your medications are
safely given?
In the hospital, we build in checks and double checks to help
assure that you are given the right medicine at the right time and
in the correct way. Today, let’s spend some time talking about why
you should be just as careful with your medications at home, and
some tips on how you can assure the safety of yourself and your
family.
One of the first steps you should take is to keep a list of
EVERY medication, supplement, and vitamin that you take.
Medications and “over the counter” drugs and supplements/vitamins
can interact with each other.
In the Parker Adventist Hospital newsletter insert, we’ve put a
wallet size cut out with places to put your most important health
history facts. Be sure and copy the form and fill one out for every
family member. It’s hard to accurately recall everything you take –
especially when you’re sick! Carry the card with you all the time
and share this information with your doctor and your
pharmacist.
When your doctor or other healthcare provider writes you a
prescription be sure and ask for the following
information:
Why am I taking this medication?
How many times a day do I take it?
Are there any side effects I should look for?
What should I do when I run out of medicine?
Do you have any written information about the drug and the
dose?
When you are given the prescription, take a look at it. Can you
read it? If you can read the letters, but haven’t been told the
name of the medication, be sure and ask – you need to know the
names of all your medicines. If you can’t read the letters, ask
your doctor to rewrite it: remember, your pharmacist needs to read
it too!
When you bring the prescription to the pharmacy, be sure they
have a current list of your medications and supplements/vitamins.
Also, be sure they know your medical problems. When you go to pick
up your medication, go through this checklist
Does the prescription have my name on it? (if not – give it back
and ask them to start over comparing it to the prescription your
doctor wrote!)
Is the name of the medication the same name the doctor gave me?
If not, ask questions. Sometimes your insurance company will
require substituting an equivalent drug. This is ok, but if that is
not the case, they may need to recheck against the prescription you
brought in.
Ask if they have any written information. Most pharmacies have
excellent handouts on medications.
If you have questions on how to take your medicine – ask the
pharmacist. They are very well trained and love to help.
When you get home, it’s time to create a system in your home.
Here are some hints:
Never take the medicine out of the original container for
storage. It’s ok to put it in a pill dispenser to help you remember
to take it every day, but keep the rest in the original
container.
Highlight the name of the medication and the expiration date on
every pill bottle.
Make a chart of what you should be taking every day, and then
check off when you take the dose.
When you go to take your medications, stop and reread the labels
before you take out the pills. You can avoid many mistakes with
this simple step.
Always finish out a course of medication, unless you develop new
problems after starting them. If you develop problems, stop the
medication and call and talk to your doctor within 24 hours. If
your problems are severe (for example, if you have trouble
breathing, or develop bleeding) call 911.
Throw away any medicines you have not used in the last six
months.
Never give your prescription to someone else – even though it
may sound like they have “the same thing” – they may have another
problem and/or your medicine may Remember, at home you are acting
as the nurse to yourself or your family member. Do what every good
nurse does – check for:
* Right patient
* Right medicine
* Right dose
* Right time
* Right route of giving it (at home it’s usually by mouth, but
there are other methods)
And do the other thing the good nurses and doctors do – when you
aren’t sure – ASK QUESTIONS!
Dianne McCallister is the director of medical affairs for Parker
Adventist Hospital..