5) What happens if I miss a dose? This is particularly key if there is a schedule to your dosage. Don’t assume doubling up on the next round is the answer. The same with taking too much – is there a concern if you forget and take the pill twice?
6) How will the medication interact with other medications you’re taking? Make sure you don’t overdose or counteract the benefits of the prescribed medication.
MEDICATION RECONCILIATION
Medication reconciliation is a process whereby you compare the current medication orders to the other medications you may already be taking. This avoids duplications, omissions, drug interactions and dosing errors. The process should be performed whenever you transition to a new doctor, or when new medications are ordered or existing ones rewritten. Transition can include changes in service, doctors, level of care or change of residence, i.e., transferring to an assisted living facility from your home.
When transitioning, it’s important to have the name of all medications being taken. That includes prescribed medications, over-the-counter medications, herbs, vitamins, nutritional supplements, vaccines and any feeding tube supplements, blood products or intravenous medications. It can also include radioactive medications and anything one is allergic to or have had a reaction to in the past. It is also important to mention if pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or any chronic health problems one is currently experiencing or have had problems with in the past.
REAL LIFE MISTAKES
Some of the most common errors actually seem like the most innocuous. Yet they happen on a regular basis.