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Take extra precautions with elderly patients' medications

Accreditation Connection, February 6, 2004

Use these twelve tips to keep seniors safe

Fifty-five percent of fatal hospital medication errors in 2002 involved elderly patients, according to the U.S. Pharmacopeia's (USP) 2002 MEDMARX medication error reporting data. Geriatric patients often take different medications or see several specialists, which can lead to confusion, says Rod Hicks, RN, MSN, MPA, research coordinator for USP's Center for the Advancement of Patient Safety.

USP created a list of tips to help the elderly and their caregivers manage their medications and reduce errors. Offer the following suggestions to patients and staff to prevent medication errors:

1. Check prescription labels to verify that you've received the proper medication. If possible, read back the prescription to your pharmacist or health care provider.

2. Try to keep all medications in original containers.

3. Talk to your pharmacist or health care provider about what to do if you miss a dosage.

4. Try to fill all prescriptions at the same pharmacy.

5. Read the patient information sheet that accompanies your medication. If you do not receive one, ask your pharmacist for the printed information about your prescription.

6. Should there be a change in the color, size, shape, or smell of your medication, notify your pharmacist immediately.

7. Never share or take another person's medications.

8. If you have any questions or concerns about a medication, always consult your pharmacist or health care provider. Ask about any possible side effects.

9. When in the hospital, state your name before taking any medications and always offer your wrist bracelet for identification. Ask the nurse to identify each medication by name before you take it. If you do not receive your medication at its regular time during your hospital stay, ask the nurse. Remind health care providers about any allergies to medications or food and any health conditions that could affect the use of certain medications.

10. Tell your health care providers about any dietary supplements or over-the-counter (OTC) medications that you take.

11. Create a list of all your medications. The list should include the following information:

Your full name and date of birth

Drug names (both generic and brand names)

Strength (dosage)

Medication instructions, such as how many times a day and when you should take the medication

The types of liquids or foods you use or should use with the medication

Allergies to certain medicines and foods

Pharmacy and health care provider names, addresses, and telephone numbers

Family emergency contact information

12. Update the medication list every month. Keep copies at your home and tell family members and friends where you keep your personal medication list. Bring the list to doctor's appointments, hospital stays, or emergency room visits, and show it to all your health care providers so they are aware of all your medications.

Source: Adapted from U.S. Pharmacopeia. Reprinted with permission. For more information, go to www.usp.org.



Sample personal medication organizer


Patient information
Patient's name: ___________________________ Patient's birth date: ___________________________
Address: ___________________________
______________________________________________________
Telephone number: (___) ___________________________
Emergency contact (Name/phone number): ________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Drug/food allergies: ___________________________
___________________________

Health care provider's information
Primary physician: __________________________ Telephone number: (___) ______________________
Address: ___________________________
___________________________________________________________

Specialist(s): ___________________________ Telephone number: (___) ________________________________
Address: ___________________________
___________________________

Pharmacy: ___________________________ Telephone number: (___) ______________________
Address: ___________________________
___________________________

Drug information

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.


Source: U.S. Pharmacopeia. Reprinted with permission.

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