KNOW.CHECK.ASK - Patient Safety

Saturday, September 17 is World Patient Safety Day and this year’s theme is Medication Without Harm.

Medications need to be reviewed from time to time to ensure that they are doing the work they were prescribed to do and that they are still the most appropriate and effective solution for what ails you.

KNOW.CHECK.ASK is the global patient safety initiative that empowers patients to talk to their GP or health professional about their medications and take an active role in understanding what those medications are for, how they should be taken, understanding any side effects and ensuring they are still required.

As patients, we sometimes forget that having one’s medication reviewed is an important step in our health care.

What was prescribed a few months ago, a few years ago, may not be what is needed now.

People should feel confident about asking questions and raising concerns about their medication.

Simply your medication list along to your pharmacist, your doctor appointment or even to the hospital if you are being admitted.

Just make sure to include everything you’re taking, even supplements and vitamins.

Medication reviews should be as normal as having your blood pressure taken or booking your yearly health check-up.

Handy tips to help make sure you understand the medications you’re taking are appropriate and up-to-date, include:

• Check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist when prescribed a medication that you have all the information you need to take it safely.
• Know your medication, check you’re taking the right dose at the right time and ask questions if you don’t understand.
• Keep an up-to-date list of all medications you take, including traditional or natural medicines and supplements, and share it with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. Some supplements and vitamins are not safe to take with certain medications.
• Take your medications and medication list with you if you are being admitted to the hospital.
• A hospital stay may involve changes to your medicines. A hospital pharmacist or doctor should visit and go through your medicines with you and record the information from the medication review and send it to your local GP.
• Talk to your hospital doctor, nurse or pharmacist before leaving the hospital if you have any questions about your medicines. Check the Medication Review in Hospital leaflet for more information.
• Take medications as recommended and be aware of potential side effects.
• Store medications as directed and regularly check the expiry date.
• Feel free to raise any concerns about your medication with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
• Return unwanted or expired medications to your local pharmacy for disposal.

• Topics:

• Health & Wellness