1. Medication Label Summit Panel Discussion
Melissa Ngo, PharmD, BCACP
Community Pharmacy Supervisor

2. UW Health Pharmacy Enterprise
University Hospital
American Family Children’s Hospital
Comprehensive Cancer Center
Clinics and Surgical Centers
The American Center
Rehabilitation
Hospital
SwedishAmerican
Hospital
Comprehensive Practice Model
Oncology
Surgery
Transplant
Critical Care
Neuroscience
Emergency Medicine
Pediatrics
Cardiology
Internal Medicine
Nutrition Support
Community Pharmacy Network
Chartwell Home
Infusion
Medication Order Perfection
Interdisciplinary Patient Care Rounds
Specialty Pharmacy
Program
Medication Adherence Programs
Meds to Beds
Resuscitation Teams
Operations and Drug Distribution
Medication Access and Prior Auth. Programs
Clinic Pharmacists
(Specialty and Primary Care)
Post Discharge
Medication Management
Discharge Medication Services
Tech Check Tech
Anticoagulation Stewardship
Antimicrobial Stewardship
Infusion Services
Medication Reconciliation
Patient and Provider Education
Layered Learning Model
Residency Training Programs
System Integration
Drug Policy Program
Med Safety
Financial Stewardship
Informatics and Analytics
Supply Chain Integrity
Pharmaceutical Research Center
Regional
Partnerships
Nuclear Pharmacy
PBM Program
Technicians – Pharmacists – Professional Support Staff

3. Community Pharmacies 14 Dispensing Locations in Madison, WI
Specialty & Mail Service
UW Hospital

4. UW Health Strategic Goals
UW Health pharmacy has a vested interest in our patient’s wellbeing since we are part of an Accountable Care Organization

5. Challenges with Previous Label
No separation of information between medication name and directions; Manufacturer of medication in between medication name and directions
Where label formatting originated
Empty space available on less critical area of label
Distance between prescription number and pharmacy phone number
Text not aligned and different directions

6. Patient Misunderstandings The Importance of Standards
Patient with poor eyesight misread her oxycodone label
Written as ”Take 1-2 tablets…”
Patient took 12 tablets
Patient did not take antibiotic appropriately
Written as “Take 1 tablet by mouth twice daily”
Patient took 2 tablets at the same time everyday causing him to not get a consistent amount of medication

7. New Label Format Directions moved to the top of the text box
Increased white space between directions and medication name
Some non-critical information moved to open space in yellow
Prescription number and pharmacy phone number are directly by each other
Less critical information aligned and moved to the side

8. Challenges of Implementation
Label stock
Had to work within the confines of current label format
Pharmacy software
Pre-built quick codes for medication directions spell out number and use words like “once”
Unable to modify size/text of pre-populated caution statements
Label reformatting needed to be done in a non-user friendly program

9. Patient Experience Pros: Con: Directions are clearer and stand out
Easier to request refills over the phone because prescription number and pharmacy phone number are close together and clear
Con:
The medication name does not stand out

10. Key Takeaways and Next Steps
Challenging when software is limiting, but creativity can help achieve small changes
Label reformatting is just Phase 1
Phase 2 will include manually changing preformatted directions
Spelled out numbers will change to digits in quick codes (i.e. “one” to “1”)
Directions for frequency of use will be more specific (i.e. “twice daily” to “every 12 hours”)
Change hard for staff

11. Asssessment Question
What changes can improve readability of a label for a patient/customer?
Increase font size of critical information
Increase white space
Remove non-required information
All of the above

12. Assessment Question
What changes can improve readability of a label for a patient/customer?
Increase font size of critical information
Increase white space
Remove non-required information
All of the above