|
Winter 2008 How to be a Great Patient, Part IStaying on Top of Medications Stay on top of your medicals and keep track of your health care. To receive your free Personal Health Kit, call us at 443-481-4700, or visit www.askAAMC.org and click on "Personal Health Kit." In days gone by, you’d visit your family doctor for an annual checkup, receive a set of instructions on how to live a good life—exercise, eat the right foods, and get plenty of sleep. These days, patients are considered a vital part of their health care team. Over the next few issues, AAMC Magazine will look at simple ways to be a great patient. It doesn’t involve medical school or a formal program. It just involves being a great team player. This article will provide tips on medication safety. The first step is to know what medications you take, the dosage, and the frequency. By staying on top of the medications you take, you can help your health care team better manage your medications. AAMC can help you keep track of your medications, immunizations, surgeries, and other health-related issues with a practical and easy-to-use Personal Health Kit. Keep it up to date and bring it with you to doctor’s appointments or if you are admitted to AAMC for surgeries or other procedures. Your Personal Health Kit will help you organize the many aspects of your health care life. It includes:
For your free copy, call askAAMC at 1-443-481-4700 or visit www.askaamc.org and click on the link to “Personal Health Kit.” “We have to create an environment in which patients are not afraid to ask questions,” said Paul T. Elder, M.D., an anesthesiologist and president of AAMC’s Medical Staff. “We can create safer health care by sharing information and working as a team.” AAMC uses an electronic medication administration record system and bedside medication scanning to ensure our staff treats the right patient with the right medication using the right dosage, given at the right time and administered with the right route. “Our patients want to be assured that when they enter our hospital we have the skills, knowledge, experience and technology to ensure a safe experience,” said Shirley Knelly, AAMC’s vice president of quality. “The use of technology such as electronic medication records and bedside medication scanning is one way we can ensure high quality and safe care.” Do:Make a list. Bring a list of all prescription medications to each doctor’s appointment. Include the name, dosage, and frequency. Include overthe- counter medications such as pain relievers, as well as vitamins, herbs, and supplements. Keep the list handy at all times. Keep a copy in your wallet. Share a copy with someone you designate as an advocate in case of an accident or emergency. Take your medications as directed. Do not stop taking a prescribed medication without consulting a doctor. Speak up. If you take a lot of medications, show your doctor your medication list and ask if it’s safe to take medications together. |
For Email Marketing you can trust
|
