Pharmacy Safety and Services

Managing the Safety and Benefits of Your Medications

Tips on Preventing Medical Errors in Children

 

Managing the Safety and Benefits of Your Medications

Your pharmacist and pharmacy staff play an important role in safe medication use. There is a system of checks and double checks designed to optimize the safety of patients.

You are a part of the team along with your doctor, nurse, and pharmacy staff to make sure you are taking the right drug at the right time, in the correct way. To accomplish this, you need to know as much as possible about your medications. It is very important to inform your doctor, nurse, and pharmacy staff of other medicines you are taking, including herbals, vitamins, and dietary supplements.

You are a part of that team every time you take your medication. It is important that you double-check that you are taking the right dose of the right medication, at the right time, and in the correct way. To do this you need to know as much as possible about your medications.

For more medication safety tips or to download a copy of "Your Medicine: Play it Safe" which includes a medication record log, visit www.ahrq.gov/consumer/safemeds/safemeds.htm.

You can also create your own medicine list by using the tools at Washington Patient Safety Coalition My Medicine List.

Below are a few tips to help ensure medication safety for you and your family.

  • Keep a current list of all the medications, herbals, vitamins, and dietary supplements you are taking.
  • Share this list with your health care professional.
  • Tell your doctor and pharmacist of drug allergies or sensitivities you have.
  • Know the name of the medications you are having filled at the pharmacy.
  • Make sure you understand the directions.
  • Ask what to do if you miss a dose.
  • If possible, use the same pharmacy for all your medicine needs.
  • Know when to take the medication (with or without food).
  • Find out how to refill the medication if necessary.
  • Find out how to store the medication.
  • Ask the doctor to tell you what to expect from the medication.
  • Know what to do about possible side effects.
  • Find out what monitoring will need to be done.

Keep a list of your medications and the time of day you need to take each medication. This is a good way to organize and keep track of what medications you take each day and keep from missing doses.

Ask your pharmacist to review your medication list and schedule.

Take your prescriptions to the same pharmacy each time if possible. This way the pharmacy staff can watch for drug interactions.

Remember to communicate any concerns or questions with your health care professional.

Tips on Preventing Medical Errors in Children

Its important that you be a part of the healthcare delivery, making sure you are an informed consumer. Below are tips on how you can be involved in your child’s healthcare.

  1. The most important way you can help prevent errors is to be active in your child’s health and to be a part of the health care team.
  2. Inform your child’s doctor of all medicines that your child is taking, including over-the-counter medicines, herbal medicine, vitamins, and dietary supplements.
  3. Tell you child’s doctor about any allergies and if you child has had an unusual reaction to a medicine.
  4. When your child’s doctor gives you a prescription, know what it is and what it is for.
  5. Ask for information about your child’s medicine when it is prescribed and when you pick it up at the pharmacy, and make sure you read it.
  6. If you have any questions about the directions, make sure you ask.
  7. Ask your pharmacist or pharmacy staff member for the best device to measure your child’s liquid medicine and have them show you the exact measurement.
  8. Ask for written information about the side effects of your child’s medicine and
    what to watch for in terms of how the medicine may affect your child.
  9. Ask your pharmacist if the medicine should be taken with or without food.
  10. When choosing a hospital choose one that has performed the procedure your child is having done many times.
  11. Make sure you receive and understand the treatment plan for home when your child is being discharged, and find out when your child can return to normal activities.
  12. When your child is having surgery, make sure you know what procedure is being done and the risks that are involved.
  13. If your child had several health problems, know who is ultimately in charge of his/her care.
  14. Don’t assume all the healthcare professionals who are involved with your child have all the important information, you can make sure they know the important information.
  15. Ask a friend or family member to be there with you when your child is having a test or procedure performed.
  16. Ask why each test or procedure is being done, what they are looking for.
  17. Keep track of your child’s condition and what treatments are being done.
  18. The key is communication, never be afraid to ask any question you may have.
  19. Avoid calling medicine candy.
  20. Keep syrup of ipecac on hand to treat certain poisonings at home.
  21. Children imitate adults, so avoid taking your medicines in their presence.
  22. Avoid discarding medicines in trash cans


Pharmacy Safety and Services