Safety, Medications and You

The purpose of medication is to improve your health, but each one has potential risks or side effects, especially if it isn’t taken as directed. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adverse drug events are responsible for roughly 1.3 million emergency department visits and 350,000 hospitalizations on an annual basis.

Here are some tips to help you get the best results from your prescriptions and keep you safe:

• Follow all safety precautions and recommendations from your physician.
• Make sure your healthcare providers are aware of all the prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, nutritional supplements and herbal preparations you’re taking. These substances could unknowingly cause an interaction or problem.
• If you’re taking multiple medications and your routine is too complicated, ask your physician or pharmacist if there’s any way to simplify it.
• Talk to your doctor if you experience side effects or don’t think the medication is helping. Never stop taking it on your own!
• Store medicines in a safe,childproof location. Always keep them away from heat, light and moisture.
• Try filling your prescriptions at one pharmacy. This keeps your medication records in place and helps your pharmacist identify potential problems.
• Only take your prescriptions, never take medicines prescribed for someone else.

Track Your Medications

Keeping track of your medications can seem like a daunting task, but learning all you can about each one is critical to your treatment plan and overall health. To help prevent medication errors and complications, it’s important to have a schedule and make taking your medications part of your daily routine. There are various apps for your smartphone or table to help you manage your medications and get reminders to take your pills.

Gather up everything you’re taking and make a detailed list of your prescriptions, supplements and over-the-counter medications – include the name, dosage, frequency, reason for taking and prescribing physician. Print a copy of your list and always carry it with you, take it to all medical appointments, emergency room visits and keep it with you when traveling.

Be sure to keep this list updated with new information, allergies or if you’ve stopped taking something.

Your Medications and MyChart

One convenient way to keep track of your prescriptions is through your MyChart account. This secure online portal makes it easy to access and organize all your personal health information – including your test results, immunizations and you can view all medications that have been prescribed to you by any of your St. Elizabeth providers.

Each prescription will be listed with its common and scientific names, recommended dosage and prescribing physician. You can also add personal notes about your medications. These notes are only visible to you and are not a part of your official medical record. You can also use MyChart to ask your care team questions about your prescriptions or to request a refill.

The Big Picture

Medication is an important piece of your health puzzle, but it isn’t the only one. Changing bad habits and adopting healthier ones can protect you from serious health problems and help you prevent heart disease. Taking actions to do things like quitting smoking, eating better or moving more may seem hard, but think how much better life could be when you make changes and take time for your heart.