Patient Safety is No Accident

Health Tips, Coastlines

Patient Safety Is No Accident…

As a patient, every time you go to the doctor or take medication, you are the leader of a healthcare “team” that includes you, your doctor, the doctor’s staff, and your pharmacist.   All of you work together to achieve a desired healthcare result or outcome.  Patients can ensure a safer experience with their healthcare team by being involved and informed about their treatment.  Well-informed patients are more likely to follow their doctor’s recommendations.

Be An Active “Leader” of Your Healthcare Team

Keep track of your medical history.   Write down your medical conditions, medications (don’t forget to include vitamins and herbal supplements), illnesses, allergies, hospitalizations, reactions – anything you think might be helpful to your healthcare providers.   Sometimes it’s hard to remember everything, so share your information with your healthcare team.

Make sure you understand the treatment and care you’ll be receiving and that you understand your doctor’s instructions.  Ask the doctor to repeat instructions you aren’t sure of.  Get instructions in writing if necessary.  If you forget or are confused after you leave the office, call your doctor’s office.  Don’t guess!

Involve a family member or friend if you are not able to fully participate in your care.

Follow the treatment plan agreed upon by you and your doctor.     

     Of growing concern in patient safety these days is properly taking prescription medication, especially with all the generics available.  Patients can help protect themselves by making the following inquiries when picking up medication from their pharmacy: 

!  Is this the medicine that my doctor prescribed?

 !  Confirm the dose.

 !  Are the directions on the label the same as what you were told?   If you can’t

   read the tiny print on the labels, ask the pharmacist to read it to you or

   provide a larger print version.

 !  If medication needs to be measured, what’s the best device? 

 !  Get and read written information about side effects. 

          Take with food or on empty stomach?  Any foods or drinks to avoid?

          Will new medication interact with other medications?

 !  If your medication doesn’t look or smell like it usually does, ask the pharmacist   

   why. 

 !  Most of all, don’t be intimidated by a busy pharmacy.  Ask all the questions

   you have.  They are happy to help you.

 As a community service, the Emerald Coast Health Alliance provides free medication cards so you can write down all the medications you take.  The card has plenty of space, folds to the size of a credit card, and can be easily kept in your wallet.  For your free medication card, call 862-8904, and we’ll send you one.

Jacki Taylor

Executive Director

Emerald Coast Health Alliance, an Independent Practice Association that serves the community through a multi-specialty network of 165 quality healthcare providers, conveniently located in Okaloosa and Walton counties.