Prevent – Medication Errors

The # 1 thing you can do to help prevent medication errors is to have a complete detailed record of everything your loved one takes for any condition —  and then keep it up-to-date with all medications prescribed in the hospital.

By “medication” we mean just about anything taken by mouth (except food) delivered through a patch, needle or tube. This list includes some things that may surprise you: nicotine patches, cold or allergy remedies, vitamins, herbal supplements, diet aids—even aspirin. It’s important for doctors to know the type and quantity of alcohol consumed on a daily basis, too.

Medication errors may occur, too,  when patients don’t disclose all the prescriptions they take for fear of revealing an abuse problem — or if they fail to reveal the use of illegal recreational drugs.

Helping your loved one pull together a complete record may cause friction… may be uncomfortable…  may feel like a violation of privacy.  But think about it, the human body is all about chemistry. Prescriptions, too. You really don’t want your loved one’s care reduced to an experiment because, without the right data, it’s just trial and error.

• What’s the Harm in Health Care?

  One-third of all hospital patients are harmed or killed by accident every year in American hospitals -- about 13 million patients.

  
  Preventable hospital accidents claim almost 300,000 lives -- equal to 3 jets crashing every single day of the year in America, with no survivors.

  
  Most of these deaths and injury are among older patients, and most result from a strained health care system seriously short on nurses and other critical resources.
  

• Our Solution

  CampaignZERO offers simple explanations about how common hospital hazards occur and easy checklists to help families safeguard their loved ones' care in the hospital.

• Why Checklists for Families?

  Every patient needs a family member or friend with them in the hospital -- yet few of us are prepared for this important role.

  
  Our simple little checklists can be a big help.

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