Issue 38.15
Most people don’t keep an updated list of their medications with them at all times. Some people may not even have a list or may only have a partial list. It can take time to create a medicine list and even more time to keep it current, but it may save your life one day.
Consider the patient who is taken to the emergency room and is unable to communicate. This type of patient is not uncommon to the emergency room. Without a current list of medications, nurses and doctors will be unable to avoid certain pitfalls. One example of a pitfall is treating a patient with medicine they are allergic too. Another example is treating a patient with medicine that will adversely interact with other medications they may be taking. Sometimes patients might require emergency surgery and this will increase the number and types of medications used for treatment in a hospital. Mistakes are easier to avoid when health care providers have complete medical histories.
It’s not uncommon for a person to see more than one health care provider. This might include a primary physician and one or more specialty providers. Sharing a current medicine list with all providers will help them avoid prescribing duplicate therapy.
A medicine list can be particularly important while traveling or vacationing away from home. Medication can easily be misplaced, lost, or stolen. This can be very troublesome during holidays or weekends if providers are unable to be reached. The loss of some medication can be life-threatening depending on an individual’s health condition and severity.
It’s similarly important to provide a copy of your medicine list for loved ones and family. Loved ones are often required to step in and provide medical history for those who are injured and unable to communicate. Keeping our loved ones, family, and health care providers informed will go a long way in protecting us from avoidable harm.
Medication list templates can be found online to simplify the process of creating such a list. Remember to provide additional information that may be important including allergies, health conditions, immunizations, contact information, and an emergency contact.
Finally, a medicine list will help you communicate more effectively with your health care providers. You will be better prepared to ask important questions regarding your health conditions and treatment. You know best how your medications are being managed. The more you can share, the safer you will be.
As a pharmacist and researcher I have had the opportunity to get to know many patients and take many medical histories. Participating in research can provide a brighter future for the individual as well as community. Patients who participate in research will often gain a better understanding regarding their health conditions and medications. The first thing we capture is a complete medical history which we discuss thoroughly with patients.
Our area is fortunate to have several physicians working as researchers and conducting multiple trials for various therapeutic areas to bring new drugs and or devices to the market.
Chrysalis Clinical Research is currently enrolling trials for Type 2 diabetes, constipation, asthma, osteoarthritis of the knee, shingles, and pediatric nasal congestion.
For more information or see if you might qualify for a clinical trial and help us bring new innovative drugs/devices to market contact Chrysalis Clinical Research at 435 656 1704 or visit our webpage www: sgccr.com.