Medication Errors – what can you do?

It may surprise you to know that more people die or are injured in the USA due to medication errors than in road traffic accidents. It certainly shocked me! In Ireland we have given a lot of attention, in recent years, to reducing road traffic accidents but what is being done about medication errors?

Unfortunately, medication errors happen. They happen in hospitals, in pharmacies, or even at home and sometimes people get hurt because of these errors.

The more information you have as a patient, the better able you are to prevent errors and to take care of yourself. You have to ask your pharmacists, doctors and nurses about your medicines.

Also, if you have any chronic illnesses, pick up one of the consumer guides about medicines at a bookshop or get information from patient support groups e.g. Asthma Society . Find out all that you can about your illnesses and the medicines you are taking.

Your doctors, nurses and pharmacists work hard to keep you healthy, but you are also responsible. Learn what questions to ask and get answers--it's your life and your health!

Top 10 Tips to prevent errors with your medicines

1. The single most important way you can help to prevent errors is to be an active member of your health care team.

That means taking part in every decision about your health care. Research shows that patients who are more involved with their care tend to get better results. Below are some specific tips for you to follow.

2. Make sure that your doctor knows about everything you are taking. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, and dietary supplements such as vitamins and herbs.

At least once a year, bring all of your medicines and supplements with you to your pharmacy.  The americans call this "Brown bagging". This can help you to talk about your medicines and find out if there are any problems. It can also help keep your records up to date. Get rid of any old, out-of-date or discontinued medicines.

3. Make sure your doctor knows about any allergies and adverse reactions you have had to medicines.

This can help you avoid getting a medicine that can harm you. For example, if you are allergic to penicillin make sure your doctor and pharmacist knows that you are.

4. When your doctor writes you a prescription, make sure you can read it.

If you can't read your doctor's handwriting, your pharmacist may not be able to either.

5. Ask for information about your medicines in terms you can understand—both when your medicines are prescribed and when you receive them.

• What is the medicine for?
• How am I supposed to take it, and for how long?
• What side effects are likely? What do I do if they occur?
• Is this medicine safe to take with other medicines or dietary supplements I am taking?
• What food, drink, or activities should I avoid while taking this medicine?

6. When you pick up your medicine from the pharmacy:

• If it is a new prescription ask that the pharmacist review the directions and what the drug is used for with you
• If it is a repeat prescription and anything has changed (colour or tablet shape, directions) ask the pharmacist to review the changes with you.  

7. If you have any questions about the directions on your medicine labels, ask.

Medicine labels can be hard to understand. For example, ask if "four doses daily" means taking a dose every 6 hours around the clock or just during regular waking hours.

8. Ask your pharmacist for the best device to measure your liquid medicine. Also, ask questions if you're not sure how to use it.

Research shows that many people do not understand the right way to measure liquid medicines. For example, many use household teaspoons, which often do not hold 5mls of liquid.

Special devices, like marked syringes, help people to measure the right dose.

9. Ask, at the pharmacy, for written information about the side effects your medicine could cause.

Written information about medicines can help you recognise problem side effects so that you can give that information to your doctor or pharmacist.

10. When you are being discharged from the hospital, ask your doctor to explain the treatment plan you will use at home.

This includes learning about your medicines and finding out when you can get back to your regular activities. Research shows that at discharge time, doctors think their patients understand more than they really do about what they should or should not do when they return home.

What Can You Do?  - Be Involved in Your Health Care.