10 Ways to Prevent Medication Errors

Any time a healthcare professional, patient, or consumer experiences an unintentional event that could have been prevented in regards to medication or medication use, which may or may not have resulted in patient harm, it is considered a medication error.¹ Each year, more patients die from potentially preventable medications errors in the U.S. than from Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), breast cancer, or even motor vehicle accidents.  As a patient, it is important to be thoroughly informed about the medications you are taking and why you are taking them.  In doing so, you will be better able to not only take care of yourself, but also help prevent errors that may possibly have harmful consequences.

As a patient and a consumer, there are 10 simple things you can do in order to help prevent medications errors.  Unfortunately, not all medication errors are preventable, but by following these steps, you can help to keep yourself and your loved ones safe and iof you ever have questions please stop into UIC Pharmacy or consult your UIC pharmacist.

1. Make sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist all of the medications you are taking.²

This includes over the counter and herbals products, such as vitamins and minerals, not just prescription medications. Many medications may interact with each other, but those interactions cannot be caught if your healthcare provider is not aware of everything you are taking.  It may also be helpful to keep a medication list handy, including the name (both brand and generic), dose, and what you are taking it for, so that you can quickly supply your healthcare provider with this information, instead of trying to recall it from memory.

2. Make sure your doctor and pharmacist are aware of any potential allergies you may have.²

This includes allergies to both medications and to foods.  It is also important to let your healthcare provider know if you have taken a medication in the past that resulted in an adverse reaction.  By providing this information, you can help to prevent taking similar medications that may produce a similar effect.  Be sure to also tell your healthcare provider the type of reaction you experienced with these medications, whether it may have been an upset stomach, rash, or difficulty breathing.  All of this information can help to determine the severity of the reaction.

3. Know the reason why you are taking each medication.³

Often times, individuals start taking medications prescribed to them by their doctor without knowing exactly why they are taking them. It is necessary to know the importance of each medication you are taking, if it is appropriate, and how it is impacting your health. In doing so, you can take charge of your health, and play an active role with the healthcare team. If you receive a medication from a pharmacy and you are not sure why you are taking it, be sure to ask. Also, never take a medication from a friend or family member that was not prescribed for you.^4,5 The dose or the medication itself may not be appropriate or it may interact with other medications.

4. Make sure you can read the doctors handwriting for new prescriptions.²

Historically speaking, doctors may not always have the best handwriting when writing prescriptions for their patients. In order to prevent any misinterpretation of the medication name or dosing, make sure you can read what is written, and confirm that with your doctor. This action alone may be able to prevent a majority of medication errors, where the wrong medication might be dispensed, or the right medication is dispensed, but at an inappropriate dose. If you are not able to read it, chances are your pharmacist might not be able to read it either.

5. Store medications in a safe, secure place.^4,5

Keep medications out of reach from children and pets, for example in an elevated cabinet or a locked drawer. If children do accidently ingest medications that are not intended for them, be sure to call poison control at 1-800-222-1222. It is also important to not store medications in the bathroom medicine cabinet or in places of humidity, heat, or direct sunlight; this could affect the potency and safety of the medication.

6. Keep medications in their original bottles.^4,5

Always keep your medications in their original bottles and take them with the lights on so that you know exactly which medication you are taking.  This will ensure that you are taking the right medications at the right doses. Many medications look very similar, and it is easy to get them mixed up. Also, each time that you take a medication, double check the bottle for the name; the dose; the number of pills per dose; and how to take the medication in order to prevent taking the wrong medication or wrong dose, which could potentially lead to serious negative effects.  

7. Know what to do if you miss a dose.³

It is hard to never miss a dose when taking medications, so it is imperative to know what to do when it happens. Procedures differ depending on how many doses were missed and what medication you are taking.  Some medications recommend taking the dose as soon as you remember, skipping the dose completely and just waiting until your next scheduled dose, or doubling up on the medication for your next dose. It is important to ask your pharmacist what to do in the case of a missed dose in order to prevent under dosing or over dosing your medication.

8. Know what side effects are common with each of your medications.^3-5

It is helpful to know what side effects are common with the medications you are taking, so when you start taking them, you will be aware of what you might expect. Not all patients experience adverse reactions to their medications, but it may be possible. Be sure to report any problems you have to your doctor or your pharmacist; there might be other medication options available for you that might not produce those same side effects, and the pharmacist can work with the doctor to suggest an alternative. Many side effects are fairly common, and may disappear after your body adjusts to the medication.  However, It is also important to be aware of what adverse effects are harmful, and require you to contact a healthcare provider immediately in case they occur. This may also help to prevent false identification of allergic reactions to your medications.

9. Know when and how to take your medications.^3-5

Some medications should be taken in the morning on an empty stomach; some should only be taken with food or after meals; others should be taken at bedtime.  It is vital to know when to take your medication, and how often during the day. Taking your medications at the same time every day may also be very important in terms of efficacy and safety. Also, it is important to know whether your medication can be chewed or crush, or if it needs to be swallowed whole. For example, some long-acting medications work too quickly if they are chewed, and might result in increased absorption and possible toxicity. Other medications might not be effective at all if crushed or chewed, or you might experience adverse effects in these cases. Also, when taking a liquid medication, only use the dosing device that came with it or was provided at the pharmacy; you might want to ask your pharmacist what device would be most appropriate and how to accurately measure. Household teaspoons and tablespoons vary in size, and should never be used.

10. Ask questions and build a relationship with your healthcare providers.²

In order to receive the best treatment available, and to avoid any medication errors, it is important to be able to trust your healthcare providers, and develop a relationship with them. You should be able to ask them any questions you want about your medications or your disease states, and feel confident in the answer they give you. If something does not seem right with your medications, or you are unsure how to take them, ask your pharmacist – that is what they are there for. Often times, medication errors are prevented because the patient questioned something that they knew was not right.

You should take responsibility for your health, and it is important to realize that you are in control. With the guidance and support of your doctors, pharmacists, and other healthcare providers that you may come in contact with, you will know that you are doing all that you can in order to help prevent medication errors from happening to you and those you care about. 

  

References

1. Preventing medication errors. Pharmacist’s Letter. Self-study course #100305. 2010;305.

2. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. 20 tips to help prevent medical errors. http://www.ahrq.gov/consumer/20tips.html. Accessed August 8, 2011.

3. About.com. Preventing medication errors.. http://copd.about.com/od/livingwithcopd/tp/avoid-med-errors.html. Accessed August 8, 2011. 

4. Pharmacists.com. Avoiding medication errors. American Pharmacist Association. http://www.pharmacist.com/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Pharmacy_Today2&Template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=3546. Accessed August 8, 2011.

5. Institute for Safe Medicine Practices. Consumers. http://search.ismp.org/cgi-bin/hits.pl?in=517791&fh=80&ph=1&tk=le%26%3FEITrEwu%20e%26%3FEITrEwuz%3A%20%26bbwb%3A%20%26bbwbz%3A%20e%26%3FEITrEwu%3A%20%26bbwb&su=upaaJ%26WWddd.bXFJ.iCLWPi_XfFuCXWeuwqfra.qXJ&qy=nwKWk%26I_kpL%20KQQpQr&pd=1. Accessed August 8, 2011.

By: Lauren Tramutola, PharmD Candidate, 2012