|
|
|
| You are here: DOH Home » News Releases Home » 03-043 |
For Immediate Release: March 7, 2003 (03-043)
Contacts: Tim Church, Communications Office 360-236-4077
Patti Rathbun, Legislative and Constituent Relations 360-236-4627
OLYMPIA – National statistics show as many at 98,000 people a year die from medical and medication errors. It is very difficult to lose someone, but even tougher if the death was the result of a medical error. Many errors are directly connected to the medicines people take in an effort to get well or manage a chronic health problem.
The Washington State Department of Health is urging Washington residents to take a few simple steps to protect themselves from medication errors. The Department of Health has developed a medication-tracking card that can be downloaded from the department’s Web site at http://www.doh.wa.gov/patientsafety/. The card is an easy way to keep track of medications and remind people of questions to ask their physician or pharmacist.
It is important for people to keep track of all their medications, including prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, and herbal supplements. People can use the medication tracking card to write down the name of their medication, the date they start, dosage, when they take it, what is it for and any special directions from your doctor or pharmacist. They should then bring this card with them every time they visit their health care provider.
"Information is key: the more information people provide about their health, symptoms, and the medications they are taking the better informed their physician will be," says Washington State Health Officer Dr. Maxine Hayes. "People need to remember they are a key part of their health care team. Providing good information and asking questions can make a big difference."
There are some standard questions people should always ask their health care provider or pharmacist regarding prescription medication:
What is the name of the medication? What is this medication for? How am I supposed to take it? (i.e. on an empty stomach or with food.) What side effects are likely and what should I do if they occur? Is this medicine safe to take with other medicines or dietary supplements? If I forget to take it, what should I do? For women: will it affect my birth control methods? What food, drink or activities should I avoid while taking this medication.
People should also ask their health care provider to note on the label what each prescription drug is for. That way they won’t forget which ailment the drug is for once they get home.
Another simple way to decrease the possibility of a medication error is "brown bagging." At least once a year people should pack up all of their medicine and take them to their next appointment with their health care provider. Providers will make sure patients are not taking combinations of medications that can make them sick or be ineffective.
Even where you store your medication can be important. Light, heat and moisture can decrease the effectiveness of drugs. That is why the bathroom cabinet is not usually the best place. An alternative place to keep your medications could be in a dresser drawer in your bedroom or in a kitchen cabinet or drawer away from the stove or sink.
The state Department of Health has formed a special work group looking for ways to improve systems and cut the number of medical errors in Washington state. The agency has sent information to every prescribing practitioner in the state and is encouraging providers to move away from handwritten prescriptions, discuss drug interactions with patients, and note the purpose of the medication on all prescriptions.
In 2001 Washington residents filled approximately 40 million prescriptions. March 9-15, 2003 is Patient Safety awareness week. It is a good opportunity for people to take a look at the medications they are taking to make sure they are not making them worse instead of better. For more information about improving the safety of your health care experience, visit the Department of Health’s Patient Safety Web site at http://www.doh.wa.gov/patientsafety/
###
DOH Home | Access Washington | Privacy Notice | Disclaimer/Copyright Information
 |
Contact Information for the Department of Health Last
Update :
05/21/2009 07:32 PM
|
