TIP OF THE WEEK
Patient tips for taking medicines safely
BRING A LIST OR A BAG WITH ALL YOUR MEDICINES WHEN YOU GO TO YOUR DOCTOR'S OFFICE, THE PHARMACY, OR THE HOSPITAL
Include all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements that you use. If your doctor prescribes a new medicine, ask if it is safe to use with your other medicines. Remind your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any medicines.
ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR MEDICINES
Ask questions and make sure you understand the answers. Choose a pharmacist and doctor you feel comfortable talking with about your health and medicines. Take a relative or friend with you to ask questions and remind you about the answers later. Write down the answers.
MAKE SURE YOUR MEDICINE IS WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED
Does the medicine seem different than what your doctor wrote on the prescription or look different than what you expected? Does a refill look like it is a different shape, color, or size than what you were given before? If something seems wrong, ask the pharmacist to double-check it. Most errors are first found by patients.
ASK HOW TO USE THE MEDICINE CORRECTLY
Read the directions on the label and other information you get with your medicine. Have the pharmacist or doctor explain anything you do not understand. Are there other medicines, foods, or activities (such as driving, drinking alcohol, or using tobacco) that you should avoid while using the medicine? Ask if you need lab tests to check how the medicine is working or to make sure it doesn’t cause harmful side effects.
ASK ABOUT POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
Side effects can occur with many medicines. Ask your doctor or pharmacist what side effects to expect and which ones are serious. Some side effects may bother you but will get better after you have been using the medicine for a while. Call your doctor right away if you have a serious side effect or if a side effect does not get better. A change in the medicine or the dose may be needed.
Select to download print version (PDF File, 1.1 MB). PDF Help
RESOURCE SPOTLIGHT
Hospitalization Risk Assessment Poster (PDF)
Do you know which of your patients are at risk for hospitalization? Are all disciplines aware of high-risk patients? Is the on-call staff able to identify patients at high risk? The Hospitalization Risk Assessment identifies high-risk patients and provides suggested intervention strategies. Sample risk factors: Previous hospitalization in last 12 months, history of falls, lives alone, confusion, and diagnosis of CHF, COPD, DM, or Neoplasm.
Click here to download.
IN THE NEWS
HOSPITALS IMPROVE QUALITY OF CARE FOR THREE CONDITIONS, ACCORDING TO STUDY
March 21, 2007 -- Kaiser Network -- U.S. hospitals have made improvements in the care provided to heart attack, heart failure and pneumonia patients, according to a report released on Tuesday by the Joint Commission, AP/Long Island Newsday reports. The report, which examined whether more than 3,000 hospitals followed treatment guidelines for the three conditions, found that care consistently improved from 2002 to 2005. Read more >>
EXPANDING PASSPORT PROGRAM TO KEEP MORE AT HOME
March 15, 2007 -- Cincinnati Enquirer -- The proposal: Expanding Ohio's Passport program to allow another 5,600 seniors to participate. What it means: Helping more Ohio seniors stay out of nursing homes is a great goal, Ethel Cooper says. But as Gov. Ted Strickland calls for expanding a program aimed at doing just that, he should also look at increasing funding to the home health agencies that provide the service, said Cooper, chief financial officer for the Visiting Nurse Association of Greater Cincinnati. Read more >>
EXERCISE HELPS PREVENT FALLS IN ELDERLY
March 20, 2007 -- Spokesman Review -- Like a lot of people, former flight attendant Mary Nicholson wasn't an exerciser. But two years ago she changed all that – at age 71. For Nicholson, part of the motivation to exercise was to be strong and agile enough to avoid a fall. "I'm bound and determined I'm not going to fall and break a bone," she said during a workout that included balancing on one leg, working with weights and stair-climbing. Nicholson says she feels better, is stronger, and her balance is much improved. Read more >>
COMING ATTRACTIONS
ARE YOU READY FOR PAY FOR PERFORMANCE?
Attend one of these half-day meetings to learn more about:
- Current pay-for-performance demonstration projects.
- How Ohio agencies are performing on key measures.
- Best practices and barriers of Ohio agencies.
- Using tele-triage as a quality improvement strategy.
Choose the AM (9-12) or PM (1-4) session. Registration begins 30 minutes prior to the start of the conference. Register today for a meeting in your area:
- 3/27/07: Akron
- 3/28/07: Dublin (Columbus area)
- 3/29/07: Dover (New Philadelphia/South Canton area)
- 4/4/07: Cleveland
Who should attend? CEO, Administrator, Operations, Director of Clinical Services, Nurses, or Quality Improvement Coordinator.
Click here for more information or to register now
