Medication Safety
IT’S SAFE TO ASK MEDICATION CARD
The It’s Safe to Ask Medication Card is for people to record their medications. The purpose of the card is to:
1. Promote patient safety through safe use of medications,
2. Encourage people to ask questions about their medications, and
3. Help healthcare providers and emergency responders know patients’ current medications.
The information on the medication card will help healthcare providers conduct a best possible medication history, which is integral to Medication Reconciliation, a required organizational practice of Accreditation Canada.
MEDLINE PLUS - MEDICATION ERRORS
Medline Plus has easy to understand information on medication errors and how to take your medications safety. They explain that you can help prevent errors by knowing your medicines, reading medicine labels and following the directions, and asking questions. If you don’t know the answers to these questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist: Why am I taking this medicine? What are the common problems to watch out for? What should I do if they occur? When should I stop this medicine? Can I take this medicine with the other medicines on my list?
They also list other easy to understand medication safety information, such as videos, handouts for patients, and information on specific conditions, for children, and for seniors.
SAFE MEDICATION USE CANADA
The Institute for Safe Medication Practice Canada (ISMP Canada) has a website for patients called www.SafeMedicationUse.ca. Consumers can report medication incidents and get information about using medication safely. Their newsletters provide tips for patients and their families on how they can help prevent adverse medication events. ISMP Canada also hosts the Canadian Medication Incident Reporting and Prevention System (CMIRPS), where health professionals can anonymously report medication incidents.
ISMP Canada publishes monthly safety bulletins, including regular newsletters and alerts for consumers. The bulletins and newsletters are all about medication safety and include topics such as allergies and medication, confusing medication packages, how to measure liquid medications, safety tips on taking your medication, and many more.
MEDICATION RECONCILIATION
Medication reconciliation is the process for making sure health professionals know about all the medications you’re taking at home, in the hospital, and any other healthcare setting. In Canada, Safer Healthcare Now! is a program that helps health professionals with the medication reconciliation process in hospitals and in long term care facilities.
MedEffect CANADA
Consumers, patients and caregivers, as well as health professionals can subscribe to MedEffect Canada, a free service to stay informed of advisories, warnings and recalls for health products that Canadians use every day, such as pain relievers, cold medicines, prescription drugs and natural health products.
See also Research Digest on Medication Safety.
