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Help Prevent
Medicine Errors
Be sure your doctors and nurses know the following:
•
•
All medications you are taking, including prescription, over-the- counter drugs, herbal or vitamin supplements, natural remedies and recreational drugs. Make a list before you go to the hospital.
If you have allergies to medications, anesthesia, foods, latex products, etc. Medical alert tags are a good way of relaying information about you. For example, if you are allergic to any medications, are diabetic or on blood thinners, the tag would display this information. These medical alert tags can be found at your local pharmacy.
Be sure that any medications, procedures or lab tests ordered match the name on your ID bracelet.
9
THERE ARE NO
DUMB QUESTIONS WHEN IT COMES TO MEDICATION: You have an experienced sta on hand to help you fully understand your medications. So–ask!
Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs
• Some medications look and sound like other medications you may be taking, or have just been prescribed.
• Example: Celebrex, Cerebyx and Celexa are brand names that look similar when quickly glancing at a prescription label.
• Tramadol, Trazodone and Toradol are Generic names that also look alike at a glance.
• Confusing your medications might lead to unwanted side-e ects.
• Review your medications closely and understand the brand name and generic name of the drug, what it is for and the dosage. Be clear about what you are taking!
Drug Interactions
Sometimes di erent over-the-counter or prescription medicines contain the same active ingredient. So when you take more than one medicine at the same time, it's possible to take too much of the same active ingredient.
• Read the label carefully to nd out exactly what you're taking.
• When in doubt, ask your doctor or pharmacist. It's simple. Read the label.
Source: www.nclnet.org and www.fda.gov/cder
Understand Your Medication
While you are in the hospital, your doctor may prescribe medication for you. It is important that you understand exactly what they are for and how to take them. The checklist below will help you ask your doctor the right questions:
• What is the name of the medicine?
• Whatisthismedicinefor?
• HowdoItakethismedicine,how much do I take, how many times a day and for how long?
• Whatarethepossiblesidee ects?
• Can I take this medicine while taking other medications or dietary supplements?
• Arethereanyfoods,drinksor activities that I should avoid while taking this medicine?
• ShouldItakemymedicinewith or between meals, on an empty stomach, with food or water?
• WhatshouldIdoifImissadose?
Use a watch you can program, your computer, a tablet or cell phone to set an alarm that will help you remember to take your medications on time.
Use the Medicine Minder on page 10 to help you keep track of all
of your medications, strengths
and dosages.
Just because
a drug is sold without a prescription doesn't mean that it isn't serious medicine!
PATIENT SAFETY–UNDERSTAND YOUR MEDICATION