Rx errors

WebMD's All Ears Blogger Rod Moser has an interesting entry about medication errors. He points out that ideally there is a system of checks and balances that prevents medication errors, such as pharmacists and educated patients. I'd like to add another to his list; patients who know at least the names and doses of all their current medications, or who carry a current list.

At least once a day a patient and I will be talking about medications. For example, I'll ask a new patient, "What are you taking for medications every day?" I need this information to prescribe the individual a new medication, and I want to be sure that what I add to their routine doesn't interact with their current medications. I also need to be certain that I don't duplicate something that has already been prescribed for the person, especially if he or she sees other providers.

Another patient will say to me, "I need a refill on my medication," and I'll ask, "which one?" He or she will say, "you know, the little blue one. It's oval and about this big," holding up fingers to show me the size.

Well, you know what? Your medication comes in a generic form and your pharmacy bought it from supplier "A" three months ago when you got the last refill. Unfortunately for you, when we figure out which pill you need and I call it in, you find that this month they got it from supplier "B" because they had a better price. It's now a yellow round pill instead of an oval blue one.

Do you assume it's the right pill? Do you ask the pharmacist if it's the correct medication? If you knew by name what you are supposed to be getting you could be reasonably assured that your prescription is correct.

Suppose it's an antibiotic you've taken before and it looks different. Do you think there has been an error, and not take the pills? This choice might lead to your infection getting worse. Always ask your pharmacist if you have a question or concern about the medication that you've been given and make every effort to use the same pharmacy at all times, so that the pharmacists are familiar with you and your medication profile and allergies.

So don't count on the color, size, or shape of medications when asking your health care provider for refills, or when discussing your medications with someone who is going to be writing you new prescriptions. The BEST solution is to carry a CURRENT list of all medications with you at all times. That way you can take it out and allow no mistakes to be made when it comes to medication refils, or adding new medications to your health care plan.

Take care, Laurie

Half of the modern drugs could well be thrown out of the window, except that the birds might eat them.
Dr. Martin Henry Fischer

Related Topics: Drug Errors Injure 1.5 Million, Government Moves to Expand E-Records


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