AMGH continues to be committed to patient safety. Many initiatives have been undertaken in an effort to provide our patients with the safest, highest quality care possible.
One of these initiatives involves Medication Reconciliation.
The main goal of Medication Reconciliation is to prevent adverse drug events and potential harm by gathering a complete medication list upon admission to hospital and then comparing this list to admission medication orders. All medications taken by patients at home are considered, then, either continued as is, discontinued or modified. This process takes place upon admission, upon transfer and upon discharge.
Everyone can help with this process by knowing the following:
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What is the medication
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How much do you take
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Why do you take it
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Who prescribed it
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When did you start taking it
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How do you take the medication, and
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Are you having any problems with any of your medications?
Being able to answer these questions is the first step in ensuring medication safety.
A good way to learn about your medications is to ask questions. Don't be afraid to ask as many questions as you need to understand. You have the right to ask. You have the right to know. Talk to your doctor, your nurse or your pharmacist. All these people want you to understand your medications.
Once you have the answers to your questions, keep an up to date record of your medications. You could keep a record on your computer or in a notebook.
Make note of the following things:
Likewise, when you stop taking a medication, make note of:
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When you stopped taking it
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Why you stopped taking it, and
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who asked you to stop taking it.
When you come to the hospital, bring your medication bottles or this up to date list with you. This will help the doctors and nurses to gather the complete list of your medications.
The more you know about your medications, the more you become a team player in your own safe health care.
