As part of National Patient Safety Awareness Week, Parkridge Medical Center, Parkridge East Hospital and Parkridge Valley are joining hospitals and health systems nationwide this week to encourage collaboration between patients, families and their healthcare providers to create a powerful team for improved patient safety.
“True partnering and good communication are key to delivering safe and high quality care,” said Jerri Underwood, Chief Nursing Executive for Parkridge Medical Center, Inc. According to Underwood, there are a number of actions patients and their families members can take to become involved in their care and to protect themselves.
Underwood recommends:
- Obtain a copy of all their healthcare records and keep them in a safe place.
- Write down and carry with you the names and numbers of your healthcare providers and pharmacies and be prepared to share all of this information with your doctor.
- Communication is so important to receiving quality healthcare. If you are not comfortable talking with your healthcare provider and asking questions, identify an advocate—family member or friend—who can accompany you to your appointment and ask questions on your behalf.
- And, talk with your family or other close individuals about what your preferences are for your healthcare, in case you are not able to speak for yourself.
Some of the most important actions individuals can take to protect themselves are related to medication usage. More than 50 percent of the 3 billion prescriptions filled annually in the United States are taken improperly, according to the American Pharmacists Association.
Such improper use of medications can produce dangerous adverse drug interactions and other uncomfortable side effects according to Underwood.
Underwood says the most important step to proper medication usage is to educate yourself about the specific drugs you and your family are taking and the conditions they are intended to treat. She offers these guidelines for using medications safely and effectively:
- Provide your physician and pharmacist with an up-to-date list of all the medications (prescription, over-the-counter, herbal and dietary supplements) you take. Include medications you are allergic to with an explanation of what happens when you take the medicine. Take this list with you to doctor’s visits and to the hospital. Ask your physician or pharmacist to update the list anytime your medications change.
- Always read and follow carefully the instructions on the label. Never take any more or less than the label indicates and don’t give adult doses to children or guess at the dose you should give them.
- Ask your physician to write on the prescription why you are taking the medication.
- Do not use medications prescribed for someone else. And, do not share your medications with others.
- Do not keep old medications to self-medicate when you think you have the same problems. Always take all of the antibiotics as prescribed and don’t save some for the next time you are sick.
- Go through your medicine cabinet at least twice a year and throw away all expired medications in a place that children and pets cannot reach.
In recognition of National Patient Safety Week, Parkridge Medical Center, Inc. is offering a free medication record form to help you keep track of your medications and share that information with your healthcare provider.To receive your free copy, call TriStar MedLine at (800) 242-5662.