Medication Management

Medication Management April 5, 2017 John Battiato, Pharmacy Manager St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital

Presentation Outline Medication Management Questions that you need to ask your Doctor about your medications.  The best way to keep your Medication List.  Tips for organizing your medications.  What is a Medication Reconciliation and why it is important for you.  Your Pharmacist as a Medication Resource. 

Goals Medication Management

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How to learn and understand more about the medications you are taking.

How to better track and organize your medications.

Enhance Patient Medication Compliance Improve your quality of life.

Avoiding Emergency Room visits.

Avoiding Hospital admissions and readmissions.

Medication Management Questions for your Doctor What is the Medication Name?  Is this the brand or generic name?  What is the medication for?  What is the dosage and how often do I take it?  What time should I take it? 

Medication Management Questions for your Doctor Does this medication work together with the other medications I am taking?  When will the medication begin to work?  What are the common Side Effects of this medication?  How long will I need to be on the medication? 

Medication Management Questions for your Doctor Ask your Doctor to write down special instructions if necessary.  How much will this medication cost? Are there alternatives?  Will my insurance company need prior approval (authorization) to fill this prescription? 

Medication List  

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This is a very important document!

Helps you keep track of all of the medications you are currently taking and to maintain medication compliance.

Must contain the following information: Drug Name.

Dose (How Many tablets, capsules, etc.).

What the medication is for.

When do I take it?

Start and Stop Date.

Doctor name.

Special instructions.

Medication List 

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List all tablets/capsules, patches, drops, ointments, creams, liquids, inhalers, eye and ear drops, suppositories, injections, etc.

List any medications you take “as needed” (Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Tylenol, Nitroglycerin, Inhalers, etc,).

Include prescription and over the counter medications.

Herbal, vitamins, and diet supplements.

Always keep this list with you in case of an emergency.

Bring this list to all doctor visits, tests, and hospital visits.

Medication List It also contains other important Medical Information.  Allergies – also include any allergies to foods, dyes, insects, etc.  What was the reaction that required you to stop taking the medication.  Emergency Contact, Primary Care Physician, and Pharmacy information (primary and mail order). 

Medication List Your Medication List is a “real time” document.  Remove any medications that you are no longer taking from the list.  The Medication List must be updated after every Doctor’s visit and when you leave the Hospital. 

Medication List Link for Medication List ď‚—

https://www.ismp.org/tools/personal_med _form/Personal_Medicine_List.pdf

Tips for Organizing Your Medications Do not mix different medications in the containers that you received from the pharmacy.  Does the medication need to be refrigerated?  Does the medication need to be kept in its original container?  Does the medication need to be mixed, diluted or shaken well prior to use? 

Tips for Organizing Your Medications Do not store medications in the bathroom “Medicine Cabinet” due to the moist, warm conditions that can cause the medications to break down quickly.  Using your Medication List, you can organize your medications into several different types of “Pill Organizers”. 

Tips for Organizing Your Medications ď‚—

Set timers and reminders to take your medications if needed.

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Discard medications that are no longer needed.

What is Medication Reconciliation?

Medication Reconciliation is the process of identifying the most accurate list of all medications a patient is taking. ď‚— It occurs anywhere in the Healthcare System (Visits to the Doctor, Dentist, Hospital, etc.). ď‚—

What is Medication Reconciliation?

Poor communication of Medication Information at transition points of care can possibly lead to medication errors, adverse drug events, drug interactions and Hospital admissions, readmissions, or ER visits. ď‚— Clinicians should review the current Medication List along side the new medication orders and reconcile any differences between the two. ď‚—

What is Medication Reconciliation?

Discrepancies may include dose and dosage form (extended release) – example Metoprolol.  How many times a day the medication is taken.  Omissions from poor patient medication histories (Medication List).  Non-Compliance – comparing Medication List from Retail Pharmacy List. 

Your Pharmacist as a Medication Resource It is recommended that you use only one Pharmacy. The Pharmacist will know all the medications you are taking and can screen for potential drug interactions.  Make sure your Pharmacist has your current Medication List.  Does your medication need to be taken with food or on an empty stomach? 

Your Pharmacist as a Medication Resource Are there any foods or drinks to avoid when taking a medication.  Are there any Side Effects to the medication.  Are any potential drug interactions?  What to do if you miss a dose of your medication.  Patient counseling on all new medications. 

Your Pharmacist as a Medication Resource Are there any activities to avoid when taking the medication.  Storage of medication (nitroglycerin).  Can the medication be crushed?

(Sustained Release vs. Immediate Release)  Contacting the prescriber for less expensive alternatives.  Organizing your medications. 

Your Pharmacist as a Medication Resource 

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Demonstrate proper use of your medications/devices – Inhalers, eye drops, nebulizers, glucometers, etc.

Refill reminders (Medication List).

Recommend over the counter products.

Can administer Vaccines – Influenza, Pneumococcal, Meningococcal, Herpes Zoster, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis to patients 18 years of age or older.

Summary Medication Management 

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The goal is to maintain patient health and to reduce Emergency Room visits and Hospital Admissions, Readmissions.

Keep an up to date Medication List. Review and update after every Healthcare visit.

Keep your Medication List with you at all times.

Make sure your medication is stored correctly.

Summary Medication Management Following the directions of how to take your medication is imperative to ensure safety. Take it exactly as prescribed.  Don’t stop taking the medication without asking your Doctor.  Discuss any Side Effects you may be experiencing with your Doctor or Pharmacist. 

Summary Medication Management 

Make a list of questions to ask your Doctor prior to the visit.

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Get prescriptions refilled early enough so you will not run out of medicine.

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Set timers and reminders to take your medications if needed.

Summary Medication Management ď‚—

Discard medications that are no longer needed.

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Keep all medications out of sight and reach of children and away from pets.

Questions?

THANK YOU! Contact Information jbattiato@slchospital.org 845-568-2353