Medical mistakes happen, and they’re often related to medications. This could be due to prescription mix-ups or interactions with other drugs you’re taking. Many of these errors can be avoided by simply talking with your healthcare provider.
Sometimes, patients get too comfortable when they see the same doctor over and over again. They trust that their doctor remembers everything about their health and the medications they take. However, this assumption can be risky. Even though most doctors do remember a lot about their regular patients, they see thousands of people, making it easy to make mistakes. After all, doctors are human too.
Medication errors can also occur when your usual doctor retires, you move, or you get referred to a new specialist. During these transitions, your medical records have to be transferred, and important information can get lost or misplaced. It’s your responsibility to ensure your new doctor has all the up-to-date details.
Here are some tips to help you avoid medication errors:
1. **Share a Complete Medication List:** Whenever you visit your doctor, make sure they have a full list of all the medications you take, including over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbs. It’s even better to bring these medicines with you to your appointment.
2. **Communicate Openly:** Always keep the lines of communication open with your doctor. Ask questions, and if something is unclear, ask for an explanation in simpler terms.
3. **Check for Drug Interactions:** If your doctor prescribes a new medication, ask if it might interact with what you’re already taking, whether prescription or over-the-counter drugs. A quick reminder could prevent a potentially harmful mistake.
4. **Discuss Allergies and Past Reactions:** Inform your doctor about any allergies and past adverse reactions to medications, no matter how mild they were.
5. **Verify Your Prescriptions:** Pay attention to the details when your doctor writes a prescription. Know the name of the medication, the dosage, how often to take it, and for how long. Double-check your medication at the pharmacy to ensure it matches what your doctor prescribed.
6. **Measure Liquid Medicines Accurately:** Use marked syringes to measure liquid medicines to ensure you’re getting the right dosage. Household teaspoons and tablespoons can be inaccurate.
7. **Learn About Side Effects:** Discuss possible side effects of new prescriptions and understand what to do if you experience them. Some side effects can worsen existing conditions, so it’s important to know what to expect.
8. **Be Involved in Your Care:** Take an active role in your healthcare. Don’t just listen passively to your doctor—make sure you understand what’s being said. Many problems arise when patients don’t fully understand their treatment plans.
9. **Ask Questions:** If you’re unsure about any medication you’re prescribed or have any other concerns, speak up. This could prevent a lot of issues later and save you from being a victim of medical errors.
By being proactive and communicative with your healthcare providers, you can help reduce the risk of medication errors and ensure safer treatment.