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Safety At the Pharmacy

8/3/2015

8 Comments

 
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Pharmacist Crystal Abernathy recalled an elderly patient who came to her hospital’s emergency department carrying dozens of prescription medication containers.
“He was on 23 medications,” Abernathy told attendees at a recent Memorial Hospital forum on medication mistakes. “But when I looked at all the bottles, I found that five of them were for the exact same medication, but in different dosages.”
Had the patient been taking all five, not realizing they were the same medication? Or had perhaps different doctors unknowingly prescribed the same medication?
Those are just a couple of the ways medication mix-ups may occur. It’s estimated that 1.5 million medication mistakes happen in the United States each year, resulting in more than 200,000 deaths. Many of those impacted are seniors, who tend to take more prescription drugs than other age groups.

Here are a few ways to reduce the chance of medication mishaps:

Make a list: Make a list of all current medications, including the name, dosage and frequency. Be sure to include over-the-counter medications and supplements, as these may cause negative reactions when taken with certain prescription drugs. Give a copy to your doctors and let family members or caregivers know where you keep this list, which should be updated periodically to add or remove medications as needed.

Take advantage of new technologies: A number of free smart-phone applications allow users to create a medication list that is stored on your cell phone. Automatic medication dispensers are also available, increasing the likelihood that seniors will take their medications correctly.

Stick with one pharmacy: If possible, get all prescriptions filled at the same pharmacy to reduce the chance of medication duplication or adverse drug reactions.

Consider other options: Consult your physician to see if a non-medication alternative – such as physical therapy instead of pain medication – might be appropriate.

Communicate: Make sure your doctors, family members and caregivers know what medications you are taking. While only medical professionals may administer medications, non-medical home caregivers can remind seniors to take their medications, further reducing the likelihood of medication mistakes. 

Jennifer Logue is the owner of FirstLight HomeCare, a non-medical home care company serving residents of St. Johns and Duval counties. For more information, call (904) 770-3220 or visit http://www.firstlighthomecare.com.

8 Comments
cjc without dac link
1/13/2016 12:20:29 am

This is a smart blog. I mean it. You have so much knowledge about this issue, and so much passion

Reply
Assisted Living in Denver link
8/10/2017 05:22:14 am

Now days senior care has become an issue and people have not enough time to take care of them. So in such cases assisted living or senior care centers are the best options to choose.

Reply
Adam Golightly link
11/23/2020 10:12:07 am

Thanks for your tips about how they should make sure to get the right dispenser for their medicine to make sure that they take it correctly. My Grandma has been thinking about taking better care of her health by knowing what medicine she needs. Getting the right prescription from a professional could allow her to be more effective.

Reply
valorcompounding link
11/26/2020 10:32:37 pm

I really appreciate the tips related to reduce the chance of mistakes in medication which you shared with us. Thanks for sharing such informative blog.

Reply
pharmaceutical companies in Pakistan link
5/28/2021 01:19:10 am

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5/28/2021 05:13:22 am

useful information here about pharmacy . all content in this website are very inforamtive

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Ranjeet link
6/14/2021 05:48:20 am

Thanks for sharing informative post.

Reply
Mia Evans link
5/6/2022 12:01:58 am

Thanks for pointing out that we must stick with one pharmacy service to prevent any instances of duplication of medications. I will make sure that I will look for a supplier that I can trust to ensure that I can prevent any mistakes when buying the medicines that my dad would need. He would be taking maintenance drugs after he gets checked in my opinion, because he already has been weaker at his age now.

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Welcome to St. Johns Magazine, the premier lifestyle media company in St. Johns Florida and the heart of Northeast Florida.

St. Johns Magazine is a fun and friendly resource guide connecting the growing communities of northern St. Johns. We focus on the positive aspects of life with entertaining features and articles promoting local businesses, people, places and events!




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  • Home
    • Home & Style blog
    • Beauty, Fashion & Home
    • Real Estate >
      • Real Estate St. Johns BLOG
      • Neighborhoods of Northern St. Johns
      • New Construction
      • Featured Communities >
        • Focus on Trailmark
        • Focus on Shearwater
        • Focus on Nocatee
        • Age Restricted Communities
    • Travel
    • Back to school
    • Books We Love
  • Lifestyle
    • People
    • Wellness >
      • BLOG Health & Wellness Providers BLOG
    • Calendar Blog
    • Trivia Nights
    • Parks in St. Johns
    • Golf Courses
    • Autism Resources >
      • SJM Autism Blog
    • Summer Camp
    • Beaches
    • Farmer's Markets
  • Dining
    • Restaurant Guide
    • My Wandering Fork
    • Local Chefs Series
  • Digital
  • About
    • Schedule a phone call
    • Demographics & Distribution
    • Past Issues
    • Testimonials
    • Graphic Design Services
  • Best of SJ
  • FAQ