On Behalf of Palacios Law Group
Rather than surgical errors, health care facilities in New York and elsewhere may commit medication errors. After an injury or diagnosis, you may have to take medicine to improve your condition. Do you know how to advocate for your health and prevent a mistake?
U.S. News & World Report breaks down medication errors and how to sidestep them. Learn how to protect yourself and not become a statistic.
Engage with pharmacy professionals
To better avoid medication errors, encourage your physician to work in tandem with your pharmacist, especially if you qualify as a high-risk patient. When doctors and pharmacists work together, everyone has a better idea of the patient’s medical and medication history. Keeping everyone on the same page can help prevent unnecessary medication errors for those who take multiple prescriptions.
Create and carry a list of your current medications
If you take multiple medications, compile a list of each prescription to take with you when you go to the doctor or pharmacist. Include over-the-counter medication, supplements and drug allergies on this list. By having your current medications on your phone or a piece of paper, health care providers can better ensure they do not prescribe you something that may react with one of your current prescriptions.
Carry your doctor and pharmacist’s contact information
Have your doctor and pharmacist’s contact information quickly on hand. This is an especially vital tip for those with multiple physicians who may prescribe multiple medications. With your health care provider’s contact information, you can easily call him or her for information about your prescriptions that you may not have access to.
The goal is to keep all your pharmacists and physicians in contact with each other so they can work together to avoid medication errors and adverse drug interactions that could lead to injury.
