basics of medication safety. welcome and introductions 2
TRANSCRIPT
Basics of Medication Safety
Welcome and Introductions
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Presentation Goals
To raise your awareness of:how you can help improve patient safetysafe medication use practices the value of working with your
pharmacist
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Topics
• Overview of medication safety• Engage in patient safety!• Keep a current medication list• Know your medications• Store and dispose of medications safely• Report and learn from medication
incidents
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Get warmed up!!
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Overview of Medication Safety
Why is Medication Safety Important?
Medication incidents can happen
Everyone has a role to play in preventing harm from medication incidents
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Examples of medication incidents
Your medication container from the pharmacy contains the wrong medication
You take the same medication twice in the same day by accident
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You are given too much of a medication while in hospital
You receive a medication that you know you are allergic to
Where can medication incidents occur?At your doctor’s office when a
medication is prescribed
At your pharmacy◦When a prescription is filled◦When you select an over the
counter medication
In your home, when you take or use the medication
Where can medication incidents occur?
In the hospital, when medications are ordered or prepared by the pharmacy
At your bedside, when medications are given/taken
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Engage in Patient Safety!
You can help improve medication safety
Patients are the best source of information on the medications they are taking
Be involved in medication safety - there are lots of ways to do this!
Ask questions!
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Be involved in patient safety!
It’s Safe to Ask!
S.A.F.E. Toolkit
S.A.F.E. Patients Blog
Patient Advocate Form
Patient Values and Partnerships
14www.safetoask.ca
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Keep a Medication List
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Keep a Current Medication List
List:what you are actually takinghow you are taking itwhy you are taking it
As a patient, YOU are the best source of information on the medications you
are taking!
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Keep a Current Medication List
List:regularly used and “as needed”
◦prescription medications pills, ointments, creams, liquids
◦non-prescription medications◦vitamins, herbal, natural products
dosages and strength (eg: 1 x 500 mg tablet)
how and when you take the medication
you learn about your medicationsyou take your medications correctlyyour doctors, nurses and pharmacists
know about your medicationsin an emergency
Get a list of current medications when you move from one setting of care to another
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A current medication list helps:
Videos:Intro to Know and Show Your Medication Card
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How to fill in and use the Medication Card
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Know Your Medications
Know Your Medications
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Check name and purpose of medications when you:
• get a prescription • fill a prescription• are given medications
Your community pharmacist can help you!
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How to Read a Prescription
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At appointments, ask your doctor or nurse:
1. What is my health problem?
2. What do I need to do?
3. Why do I need to do this?
In the hospital – 5 “Rights”
Right:• patient name • medication name (generic and/or
brand)• dose (amount)• time of day to be taken• route (by mouth, onto skin, etc.)
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At hospital discharge, ask:
What medications have changed since I came into hospital?
• Ask:◦What medications are:
continued as before?stopped?changed?new?
◦Did my dose change? 25
At hospital discharge andat the pharmacy, ask:
• what is the medication name? (spell it)• why do I need it?• I have allergies – will I have a reaction
to this medication?• when and how should I take it?• how should I measure a liquid?• will it interact with other medications I
am taking?26
At hospital discharge andat the pharmacy, ask:
what will it do? what are the side effects? how long should I take it? what do I do if I miss a dose? does my refill look the same as before? are there “extra labels” on the container? how do I store it?
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How to Read a Prescription Label
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Auxiliary Labels
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Auxiliary Labels
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Auxiliary Labels
Know Your Medications – More TIPS
Use the same pharmacy Ask your pharmacist how to take
medications until you understand Ask before you cut, split, crush or open
a pill or capsule Take with water, not juice; unless told
other wise by your healthcare provider32
Know Your Medications – More TIPS
If dose is more than 3 pills at once, check Do not share your medications Give your contact information and an
emergency contact Check when medications “expire” (best
before date).
ASK QUESTIONS33
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DOUBLE CHECK!!
Get information on how to take the medication…
THENTell your pharmacist your
understanding of how to take the medication
Vitamins, herbs, natural health products, “over the counter” medications
Tell your doctor and pharmacist what non-prescription medications you are taking.
A bad interaction with prescription medication or a medical condition may cause harm
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Know your non-prescription medications
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Storing and Disposing of Medications
Store Medications Safely
● Store medications:◦ securely (e.g. locked cabinet) ◦ in an area free of excess heat, cold
and moisture (some exceptions)● Leave medications in original labelled
containers● Do not mix medications in same
container37
Dispose of Medications Safely
● Return unused or out of date medications to your pharmacy
● If using needles to inject medication, get a biohazard container from your pharmacy
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Report and Learn from Medication
Incidents
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Report and Learn from Medication Incidents
Inform healthcare providers if you feel a medication incident has occurred
Reporting incidents helps get to the root of the problem
Reporting Medication Incidents
● Report:o Medication incidents to
• your healthcare provider, and• ISMP Canada online at
www.SafeMedicationUse.ca or toll-free at 1-866-544-7672
oReport critical incidents to your Regional Health Authority
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Reporting Adverse Drug Reactions
Adverse drug reactions are not related to the healthcare provided
Report adverse drug reactions to the Canada Vigilance Program◦Either by mail, fax, telephone or online◦For details see:
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/medeff/report-declaration/index-eng.php#a1
Summary and
Evaluation
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Children and Teens
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High Alert Medications
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Seniors
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Travelling with Medications