Medication Safety Advice

You can ensure a safer experience with the health care system by being involved and informed about your treatment. Everyone has a role in patient safety and everyone will benefit from its success. Medication safety means that you will receive the medication prescribed to you at the right time and in the right way.  Your doctor, nurse, pharmacist and other health care providers welcome your involvement in this process.  We encourage you and your family to download this form by clicking on the link below. We encourage you to carry the Med List to every visit or stay with a doctor, emergency room, hospital, rehabilitation facility, nursing home or home health provider.

We encourage you to carry a Med List to every visit or stay with a doctor, emergency room, hospital, rehabilitation facility, nursing home or home health provider. This form will help promote your health and safety by:

• Assisting you to discuss your medical history with your physician;
• Provide more complete and accurate information to your health care providers;
• Helping you track your medications, herbal, and supplement use; and
• Provide your healthcare providers with more complete and accurate information so you obtain a high level of care and avoid drug interactions. 

We encourage your involvement in medication safety:

• Complete this list and bring it with you every time you seek medical care (physician office, pharmacy, nursing home, emergency room, inpatient care, etc.) You may obtain help from your physician’s office to record the dates of your last pneumonia and flu vaccines, recent hospitalizations, allergies, and existing medical conditions.
• You are being asked to learn about the medications you are taking, why you are taking them, what the medication looks like, what time you should take them, and potential side effects. 
• Make sure you understand your medications and what activity and eating plan you should follow.
• If you or a family member is unable to complete this list, bring all your medications, including over the counter drugs, herbs, and vitamins with you to the doctor to receive help in completing the list. It is important to include over-the-counter medications, herbs, vitamins, and other dietary supplements, because these products can act like medications, with interactions and side effects. 

Improving patient safety requires continuous learning and constant communication between patients and caregivers.  Click below for more information on how to use the List and for safety tips that you can use to help ensure your safety and become informed about your treatment.