Medication Safety

Medication Safety

General Safety Guidelines for the Home

■ Instruct Pts to keep a list of all medications that they take, including prescription medications, nonprescription medications, herbal supplements, and natural remedies. ■ Instruct Pts to keep a list of medication allergies, including type of reaction that the medication caused. ■ Instruct Pts to take medications exactly as prescribed by health-care provider (e.g., right dose, right time). ■ Instruct Pts to ask health-care provider or pharmacist if they should limit or avoid certain foods, beverages, other medications, or activities while taking their medication. ■ Emphasize importance of asking health-care provider or pharmacist to explain anything Pts do not understand regarding medications, including all nonprescription medications, and herbal supplements. ■ Instruct Pts not to take medication that has been prescribed to another person (including family members). ■ Instruct Pt to discard medications properly on expiration date. ■ Instruct Pt on proper storage of medications and that they should be kept in original containers. ■ Instruct Pts to take full prescription dose and not to stop abruptly without first informing physician. ■ Emphasize that all medication, regardless if it is in a childproof container, should be kept out of reach of children.