NHH recognizing Canadian Patient Safety Week with reminder that “Not all meds get along”
Five questions promoted to minimize medication errors
Northumberland Hills Hospital (NHH) is joining forces this year with the Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI) to recognize Canadian Patient Safety Week 2018, taking place from October 29th to November 2nd.
The 2018 Canadian Patient Safety Week theme is Not all meds get along, a public awareness campaign designed to prompt patients and healthcare professionals alike to ask questions and, as required, initiate medication reviews, particularly for anyone on five or more medications.
Medication errors can result in severe harm, disability and even death. While multiple measures are in place to minimize the risk of medication errors in hospitals, for patients who require multiple medications, or who may be transitioning between treatments or treatment locations, safety is a heightened concern. Everyone – including patients themselves, their caregivers and the health providers who care for them – can play a role in ensuring medication safety.
To that end, CPSI has teamed up with the Institute for Safe Medication Practices Canada, Patients for Patient Safety Canada, the Canadian Pharmacists Association and the Canadian Society for Hospital Pharmacists to create a list of five simple questions to help patients and their caregivers have a conversation about medications with their healthcare provider.
The five questions are:
- Changes? Have any medications been added, stopped or changed, and why?
- Continue? What medication do I need to keep taking, and why?
- Proper Use? How do I take my medications, and for how long?
- Monitor? How will I know if my medication is working, and what side effects do I watch for?
- Follow-up? Do I need any tests and when do I book my next visit?
The CPSI recommends everyone use these five questions when:
- attending a doctor's appointment (e.g., family physician or specialist, dentist, optometrist);
- interacting with a community pharmacist;
- leaving the hospital to go home; or
- receiving a visit by home care services.