As a Geriatric Care Manager, I have heard many stories regarding medication errors. Early on in my career I was amazed to learn how many errors happen in medical facilities where everyone is well trained in dispensing medications.
Practically speaking, however, it is not hard to imagine how medication errors can occur. Bottles can be mislabeled or can be filled with the wrong medication – I have had this happen. Patients don’t always read the label for directions and may take the medication incorrectly. Language can also be an issue.
Here are some helpful hints. First always carry a current list of medications with you. Check it with your doctor and with your pharmacist whenever a visit is made and if there is a change in medication. If you take more than 2 medications more than once a day, it is safer to use a medication box. They come in all shapes and sizes and you will certainly find a type that works for you. I like ones with big boxes that fit prescriptions as well as vitamins and ones with big letters that are easy to see.
In our oversight of client’s care, we arrange for all medications to be packaged by the pharmacy. This reduces the opportunity for error. The more times the meds change hands, the more room for error. With this system, the pharmacist places the medications on a card and bubble packs them into time slots. The card replaces the medication box. It is a similar concept yet filled by the pharmacist.
If you are filling a medication box yourself, make sure you pick a quiet time with little distraction. This sounds like simple advice, but this is where many errors occur. Long ago, when I was training as a Medical Assistant, the rule was to check the label on a bottle of medication 3 times before dispensing; the dosage and time should be correct and, of course, you should have the right patient!
If you are caring for someone else who may misread their box, forget what day it is or just be curious and move things around, make sure you or someone close looks over the medication box regularly to make sure things look right.
There are also automatic medication dispensers that dispense at designated times of day. For some people these work well. It is important that we think about the system that is most appropriate and holds the least chance of error for ourselves or the persons we are caring for. Then we can all breathe a little easier!