Pharmacy And Medication Safety - Things You Can Do To Ensure Successful Medication Therapy During Your Stay

Medication is an important part of your getting well. While medications can effectively treat disease and improve the quality of life, they may also cause unwanted side effects or problems. You can avoid these kinds of problems by freely talking to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist about how well your medications are working, and let them know about any problems caused by your medications.

At the hospital and clinic:

• Share with your doctor a list of your current medicines, vitamins, herbs and supplements.
• Make sure the doctor or nurse checks your wristband and asks your name before giving you medicine.
• Ask your doctor or nurse how a new medicine will help. Ask for written information about it, including its brand and generic names.
• Ask your doctor or nurse about the possible side effects of your medicines.
• Don’t be afraid to tell the nurse or the doctor if you think you are about to get the wrong medicine.
• Know what time you normally get a medicine. If you don’t get it then, tell your nurse or doctor.
• Tell your nurse or doctor if you don’t feel well after receiving a medicine. If you think you are having a reaction or experiencing side effects, ask for help immediately.
• If you're not feeling well enough to ask questions about your medicines, ask a relative or friend to ask questions for you and to help make sure you get and take the right medicines.
• If you receive intravenous (IV) fluids, read the contents on the bags of IV fluids. If you’re not well enough to do this, ask a relative or friend to do it.
• If you are given an IV, ask the nurse how long it should take for the liquid to run out. Tell the nurse if it seems to be dripping too fast or too slow.
• Ask for a copy of your medication administration record. This lists all of the drugs you should be taking. Check it for accuracy. If you're not well enough to do this, ask a friend or relative to help.
• Before you leave the hospital or clinic, make sure that you understand all of the instructions for the medicines you will need to keep taking, and ask any questions you may have about any of your medicines.