1. Medication Safety 1 Ann P. Slattery DrPH, RN, RPh, CSPI,DABAT
Managing Director
Regional Poison Control Center 1

2. Regional Poison Control Center
Established in 1958 at Children’s of Alabama
Covers the entire state of Alabama
Receives calls about all ages from 4 hours old to 105 years old
2016 RPCC received 42,412 calls and made almost 60,000 follow up calls

3. Therapeutic Errors Among Older Adults
Study done over 4 years saw a 14% increase in therapeutic medication errors in the 65+ age group
8.7% were already in a healthcare facility
RPCC referred 17.6% to an emergency department
RPCC managed 73.8% at home with follow-up calls
(728)
thus far

4. What are we going to talk about today?
Why medication safety is important and how you can engage in patient safety
How to read an Over-the-counter (OTC) medication label
The importance of knowing your medications
How to prepare a medication list
How to safely store and dispose of medications

5. Why is Medication Safety Important?
Everyone has a role to play in preventing harm from medication incidents
Medication incidents can occur at:
Your doctor’s office
Your pharmacy
Your home

6. How do you decide which medicine is the right OTC medicine for you?
Read the Drug Facts label 6

7. Drug Facts label
Active Ingredients: The parts of the medicine that make it work
What does Drug Facts tell us about each active ingredient ???
Its name
How much is in each pill or teaspoon (5 mL)
What it does (its purpose or job)
The problems it treats (its uses) 7

8. Warnings What is all this? 8 The warnings section tells you:
When you shouldn’t use the medicine at all
When you should talk to your doctor first
How the medicine might make you feel
When you should stop using the medicine
Things you shouldn’t do while taking the medicine.
*Mention Allergic reactions 8 8

9. Directions for use
If you have any questions about this product you can call the number at the bottom.
Labels change when new information becomes available an example is acetaminophen, max dose is now 4gms 9

10. Other Information How to store the product Inactive Ingredients
can effect allergies in some cases--- allergies due to certain types of dyes
Phone number if any further questions

11. When taking an OTC medication…
Ask a doctor or pharmacist before use
Stop use if:
You feel like you are having an allergic reaction – rash, itching, but if difficulty breathing call 911
Stomach pain, throwing up, dizziness
If medication is not working
Keep out of reach of children
If someone you know takes too much medicine or the wrong medicine, call the Poison Control Center for help at
Some meds shouldn’t be used together
ex. High blood pressure--- certain decongestants and cough medicines are not safe
Young children may think medicine tastesREALLY GOOD.
Medicine is not candy and can harm them if they take too much.
If someone you know takes too much medicine or the wrong medicine, call the Poison Control Center for help.

12. Measuring Tools for Medicines
Use the measuring spoon, cup, or syringe that comes with your medicine. This is the most exact way to measure your dose.
If your medicine doesn’t come with a special measuring tool, ask for one at the pharmacy.
A silverware spoon may hold the wrong amount of medicine.
Make sure the tool can measure the right dose – always double check the markings on the tool.
What do you think is the most accurate tool to use to dose your medication
Ok, Lets do an experiment….
**Most accurate choice is the syringe!**
**stop for any questions so far** 12

13. Dietary Supplements & Herbal Remedies
Self prescribed, available from many sources
You are responsible for choosing the correct medicine, dose, and watching for side effects
Herbal remedies do not have to follow the same strict rules that prescription drugs do
For herbal remedies, manufacturers do not have to prove that the product is safe, effective, or that it contains the ingredients on the label

14. Understanding Your Prescription Medications
Ask your pharmacist!!

15. Before Leaving Your Doctor’s Office
What is the name of the medication? (spell it)
Why do I need it?
I have allergies – will I have a reaction to this medication?
When and how should I take it?
How should I measure a liquid?
Will it interact with other medications that I am taking?

16. Auxiliary Labels
Always read these medication labels or have someone explain them to you
Medication labels that contain warning, dietary information, certain instructions, or cautionary details

17. Keep a current medication list
Full page list: this list is for you to keep your most current medications in a safe place in your home that is readily available to you. This is the list you should take with you to your doctors visits so that each doctor is aware of all of your medications and what other doctors you are seeing.
Wallet size list: this list is for you to keep in your wallet in case of emergencies. This list will give doctors and emergency staff a starting point for which medications you are taking in emergency situations to prevent any further harm.
List: what you are actually taking, how you are taking it and Why
Include your over the counter medications
**Get a list of current medications when you move from one setting of care to another
**when discharged from hospital it is very important to take your discharge medication list to your PCP and your pharmacist**
As a patient, YOU are the BEST source of information on the medications you are taking!

18. Keep a Current Medication List
regularly used and “as needed”
prescription medications
pills, ointments, creams, liquids
non-prescription medications
vitamins, herbal, natural products
dosages and strength (eg: 1 x 500 mg tablet)
how and when you take the medication
Suggested Content
Key Point – Keep a current medication list.
Key Point – Review what to list (see slide).
Resources
Core Content – Keep a Current Medication List

19. A current medication list helps:
you learn about your medications
you take your medications correctly
your doctors, nurses and pharmacists know about your medications
in an emergency
Suggested Content
Keeping a medication list helps:
you learn about your medications
you take your medications correctly
your healthcare providers know about your medications
provide important information in an emergency
It is especially important that patients be given a list of their current medications when they move from one care setting to another.
In Manitoba, suggest that people have an Emergency Response Information Kit (E.R.I.K).
See Appendix C – Patient/Family Engagement Tools.
Activities
Handouts
It’s Safe to Ask Medication Card - Hand out a medication card and review the sections.
Knowledge is the best medicine medication record
Video:
Show a video. Know and Show Your Medication Card tells people why it is important to know your medications and show your medication card. How to Fill out the Medication Card demonstrates how to fill out the medication card. (see next slide. Show online or get a copy from MIPS).
And/Or
Show the 30 second medication safety video from the series Learn to be Safe – Patient Safety Videos
Resources
Core Content – Keep a Current Medication List
Appendix C – Patient/Family Engagement Tools

20. An Important Medication Safety Tip
Turn on the light, put on your glasses and read the label!

21. More Medication Safety Tips
Use the same pharmacy
Ask before you cut, split, crush or open a pill or capsule
Know what food or drinks to avoid with certain medications
Check when medications expire
Know your Poison Control Center phone number
Important for pharmacy to be aware of all medications so no interactions are missed and we are able to provide the best possible care
Some antibiotics you cant take with milk or alcohol
Cholesterol- grapefruit juice

22. Even More Medication Safety Tips
If dose is more than 3 pills at once, check with your doctor or pharmacist
Do not share your prescription medications
Never use someone else’s prescription medicine
With OTC medicine, always check the dose
The right dose for you may be different than for your friend or family member

23. Storing and Disposing Medications

24. Store Medications Safely
Securely (ex. Locked cabinet)
In an area free of excess heat,
cold, and moisture
Bathroom, car

25. Store Medications Safely
Leave medications in original labeled containers
Do not mix medications in same container
Suggested Content
Tell a patient story – See Appendix B – Patient Stories: Store Medications Safely.
Key points - Store Medications Safely.
Review slide content and provide examples.
Resources
Core Content – Store Medications Safely
Appendix B – Patient Stories

26. Another Reason to Store Your Meds Safely – Your Grandchildren!
Up to 38% of child poisonings involve grandparent’s medications
28% of older adults keep their medicines in easy-open containers or bottles without a child-resistant cap
42% of those who use easy-open containers also keep their medicine on a bathroom or kitchen sink, counter, table, or shelf
12% keep prescription medications on a nightstand or dresser

27. Dispose of Medications Safely
Mountain Brook, Homewood, and Vestavia Hills police departments- Anytime
Drug Take-Back Programs
More information on DEA Diversion Control Division website
If using needles to inject medication,
get a biohazard/sharps container from
your pharmacy
Disposemymeds.org— an online resource to help you find medication disposal programs at an independent community pharmacy in your neighborhood.
The FDA has great guidelines on disposal of drugs or if you are ever not sure you can call the poison control center and we can help you

28. When in Doubt, Check it Out!
The Poison Control Center
The Poison Center offers free, confidential medication advice 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year

29. Questions?